By Chris Snellgrove
| Published 42 seconds ago

For better or for worse, Star Trek has slowly morphed into an action franchise: the Kelvinverse films were powered by nonstop lens flares and explosions, and Discovery began with a season focused on the brutalities of war with the Klingons. Soon, other NuTrek shows took a similar tactic, which is why everything from Picard to Section 31 to Starfleet Academy focused on the scary prospect of a mustache-twirling villain threatening the galaxy with a superweapon.

This is markedly different from the Golden Age of Star Trek, where shows like The Next Generation were focused on the peaceful exploration of the galaxy. One Voyager episode, “Elogium,” is particularly chill. It was a bottle episode where Captain Janeway had to figure out how to rid the ship of some tiny space creatures who were sucking power from the helm and shields. Interestingly, though, this peaceful Star Trek episode was secretly inspired by the last thing any fan would suspect: the Vietnam War!

To Explore Strange New Fish

In “Elogium,” Voyager encounters a cloud of critters who swarm the ship and begin draining power. This presents Janeway with an interesting dilemma: she has to save her ship and escape the swarm, all while not hurting or killing the tiny lifeforms she just discovered. Meanwhile, in a particularly weird B plot, Kes goes through a Pon Farr-like mating cycle and must ponder whether she, at the tender age of one, is ready to start pumping out Neelix’s children.

Now, one thing that made the Golden Age of Star Trek so cool is that, with so many episodes per season, producers could afford to entertain pitches from any fans who had a cool story to tell. The story for “Elogium” was based on an idea from freelance writers Jimmy Diggs and Steve J. Kay. Diggs served in the Navy during Vietnam, and he had a vivid memory of a time when he and the rest of the crew had to clean the ship ahead of an inspection. However, neither the moon nor the stars were very visible, so the only illumination came from the ship’s own lights.

A War Story With A Happy Ending

As a deckhand, Diggs soon noticed that the lights of the ship were attracting fish. A lot of fish: by the time the ship docked for its upcoming inspection, there were thousands of them. As he later told The Official Star Trek: Voyager Magazine, Diggs was moved by the strange beauty of a peaceful night in the middle of America’s most controversial war. “The way the fish glistened in the water from the lights, it seemed, surreal,” he said. It felt like we were in outer space surrounded by millions of moving stars, and we were on a starship, our own, Enterprise.” 

The memory stayed with Jimmy Diggs for many years. When he was pitching Star Trek: Voyager ideas to Jeri Taylor and Brannon Braga, the memory resurfaced, and he suggested an episode in which tiny space creatures are attracted to the ship because of its unique resonance signature. The producers liked the idea, incorporating it into one of the quirkier episodes of Voyager’s second season.

“Elgoium” would have never been written if not for Diggs and his experience during the Vietnam War. He transformed a moment of transcendental beauty amid horrifying conflict into a memorable story for the greatest sci-fi franchise ever created. In this way, Voyager demonstrated that art really does imitate life. Fortunately, Diggs’ wartime memories were never sullied by the most traumatizing sight of all: a sweaty Neelix pondering whether he and his leola root were ready to get his one-year-old girlfriend pregnant!

Roommates, y’all know how one post can set the internet on fire—and this time, TLC’s Rozonda “Chilli” Thomas found herself smack dab in the middle. What started as a little online chatter quickly snowballed into full-blown accusations. And now, she’s stepping up to set the record straight in her own words.

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Chilli Says Repost Was Accidental & Sets The Record Straight

This weekend, Chilli addressed the controversy head-on after facing backlash over alleged support for Donald Trump. In an Instagram post and video with a purple background and white text, she wrote:

“I WANT TO BE CLEAR: I am not MAGA and do not support any of the many policies that are causing great harm to the American people. I made a mistake too many make: I did not read the fine print. I thought I was supporting causes against human trafficking and for veterans. Two things I care deeply about, as my dad is a veteran and everyone knows I love children. I have learned a valuable lesson and ask for grace as I navigate this. Love, Chilli”

According to Federal Election Commission records, in 2024, Chilli donated $210.60 via WinRed, a Republican campaign payment processor, and also gave $340.60 and $486.54 to the Trump National Committee JFC and Never Surrender Inc., respectively. She also clarified that any donations tied to Trump’s campaign were made under the belief she was supporting causes like veterans’ assistance and anti-human trafficking—not politics. Chilli added, “These are the things that support the veterans. I’ve always supported them, not just now, for years. This is not something new.”

Chilli Reaffirms Respect For The Obama’s

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Blake Lively and Taylor Swift are reportedly on edge following a court decision that allows Justin Baldoni’s defamation lawsuit against his former publicist, Stephanie Jones, to move forward.

Previously, both had seemingly gained some relief when the actor’s defamation suit against Lively was dismissed. However, the latest ruling has reignited concerns that they could now be exposed in connection with the case.

Sources say Blake Lively and Taylor Swift fear that if the lawsuit proceeds, private texts, emails, and DMs could be revealed, and potentially trigger both legal complications and a PR nightmare.

Blake Lively Sees Defamation Suit Ruling As Her ‘Worst Nightmare’ While Taylor Swift Fears PR Fallout, Sources Claim

Earlier this week, a judge ruled that Baldoni’s production company’s defamation suit against his former publicist, Stephanie Jones, can move forward, a decision that has reportedly now sparked panic in Lively and Swift’s camp.

In the lawsuit filed in 2025, Baldoni’s production company, Wayfarer, accused Jones of maliciously leaking texts that seemingly played a role in fueling the legal feud between the director and his “It Ends With Us” co-star.

According to a source who spoke to journalist Rob Shuter’s #ShutterScoop, the latest ruling has left Lively and Swift in a “meltdown.”

The source branded it Lively’s “worst nightmare,” as any “discovery means texts, emails, DMs” could emerge, something she had previously avoided when the defamation suit Baldoni filed against her was dismissed.

The same insider also claimed that Swift, who was named dropped multiple times in the ongoing suit Lively herself filed against Baldoni, is “very aware” of the situation and worried about the potential consequences for her.

“If she’s mentioned anywhere in those communications, it could drag her into a legal and PR mess she never signed up for,” the source noted

The Defamation Lawsuit Could Expose The Dark Side Of Hollywood’s Inner Workings

According to another insider, the ruling could ultimately shine a brighter spotlight on other high-profile figures in Hollywood, particularly when it comes to behind-the-scenes matters.

“This isn’t just a lawsuit anymore,” said the source. “It’s a potential exposure of how Hollywood really operates behind the scenes.”

Ahead of the proper proceedings in the case, Lively remains in panic mode over what could happen. She has also lost confidence in coming out of her feud with Baldoni unscathed.

“There’s real anxiety,” added the insider. “They know once discovery starts, there’s no controlling what comes out.”

“She was prepared for a fight,” the source continued. “She wasn’t prepared for everything to be laid bare.”

The situation is expected to get “a lot messier” and “more public,” and Baldoni is reportedly in favor of it all.

“He wants it all out,” said the source. “He believes the truth is on his side — and now he has the chance to prove it.”

Justin Baldoni Believes Lawsuit Could Unveil Blake Lively’s Ties to His Former Publicist

Following the court ruling, a spokesperson revealed that Baldoni’s production company was satisfied with the decision, particularly because it could help show how the actor’s former publicist allegedly undermined him while she was still employed by him.

“The court further allowed claims to move forward that Stephanie Jones of Jonesworks acted in bad faith, including feeding harmful narratives to third parties and undermining her own client during a critical moment,” the rep said, per Page Six.

They added, “These are not minor disputes. They are claims the court has found substantial enough to move forward into discovery… We are confident the full record will expose how these narratives were manufactured and why.”

Justin Baldoni’s Former Publicist Is Optimistic About The Ruling As She Has ‘Damning Evidence’

Interestingly, Jones’ attorney, Kristin Tahler, also expressed optimism about the decision, claiming that it could help prove her client’s breach of contract suit against Wayfarer and other claims.

“Ms. Jones will now prove, through mountains of damning evidence, that Wayfarer Studios and Jennifer Abel deliberately breached their contracts with Jonesworks,” the attorney stated.

They added that it will also prove that “Jennifer Abel and Melissa Nathan [Baldoni’s publicists] orchestrated a smear campaign and maliciously and falsely attacked Ms. Jones’ reputation.”

Justin Baldoni And Blake Lively Will Face-Off In A May Trial

Last month, Lively and Baldoni appeared in a court-ordered settlement conference in a final attempt to resolve the actress’s suit against the film director.

However, after six hours of back-and-forth between the legal teams and the judge, no agreement was reached, meaning the case will now head to trial.

The trial is expected to begin in mid-May, with both Baldoni and Lively anticipated to take the stand at that time.

Lively is accusing Baldoni of sexual harassment on the set of “It Ends with Us” and claims that he and his production company engaged in a coordinated campaign to damage her reputation. She is seeking $500 million in damages.

Whew! The internet is buzzing after a TikToker shared the unique inspiration behind her newborn baby’s name. In her video, she revealed she named her son “MASA” because she missed NBA YoungBoy’s recent tour.

Related: Positive Images! NBA YoungBoy Covers Funeral Costs for 10-Year-Old Kimani Thomas After Tragic Shooting

TikToker Says NBA YoungBoy’s Tour Is The Inspiration Behind Her Son’s Name

In a now-viral TikTok video, an NBA YoungBoy fan explained that she couldn’t attend the rapper’s ‘MASA’ tour, so she decided to name her son after it instead. The video shows the original birth certificate alongside photos of her baby boy, who was born on March 2, 2026. In the caption, China Lee wrote, “Meet Masa Kizahri Azai 💚.” In 2025, NBA YoungBoy embarked on a 42-stop arena tour in support of his album, also titled ‘MASA.’ In an interview, the Baton Rouge rapper explained that the acronym stands for “Make America Slime Again.”

Social Media Reacts

Social media didn’t hold back. Users flooded The Shade Room Teen comment section with mixed reactions to the baby’s name.

Instagram user @ifeegypt wrote, “That’s cute and different depends on how she pronounces it 😂🥰🥰”

Another Instagram user @kennnluvx wrote, “Masaiah would’ve been cute 😅😅”

While Instagram user @glacierboy.ao wrote, “Generation is cooked”

Instagram user @theleena_ wrote, “Kentrell woulda been hard but ok girr.”

Another Instagram user @leeky_luciana wrote, “Bro who tf allowed this? 🤣 like not a family member told her she tripping ? Mom ? Dad ? Nobody?

While Instagram user @honeyyykay wrote, “Let them people name their kids what they want to”

Instagram user @theonna.okay wrote, “Some of y’all really be loving these celebrities more than y’all selves…”

Another Instagram user @kisskay.dances, “the name is cute, but find a new meaning 😭”

While Instagram user @itsjusshawn wrote, “These are future adults who have to get jobs btw…

NBA YoungBoy Gifts Country Singer Jas Von A Zebra

Last year, country artist Jas Von called on NBA YoungBoy to collaborate on her track ‘Gettin Older’. The music video has amassed over 2.7 million views within 5 months. Now, seemingly as a token of his appreciation, the Baton Rouge rapper has sent a gift to Jas Von’s house that she will never forget. In a video posted on her Instagram, Jas Von captured the moment a covered trailer pulled into her driveway, revealing a zebra inside. She called it one of the “best gifts she’s ever gotten” and teased that fans could expect more music from the duo in the future.

Related: Oop! Yaya Mayweather Reacts To NBA YoungBoy’s Gift To Country Artist Jas Von (VIDEOS)

Roommates, Tommie Lee has the internet popping off with reactions after she showed Julez Smith some love. Solange’s son dropped new pics showing him flexing, posted up by a luxury whip and it looks like Tommie was feeling the vibes.

RELATED: Whew! Tommie Lee Breaks Her Silence After Video Shows Her Kissing & Flirting With Solange’s Son Julez Smith (WATCH)

Double Taps, Big Energy! Tommie Lee Is Livin’ For Julez Smith’s Luxury Flex

Julez Smith is making it clear that this is his world and we’re just living in it. The 21-year-old dropped some new pics on Instagram flexing by a Bentley truck in a leather fit and tan boots. He didn’t just let the flicks do all the talking — his caption was just as fire. “Julez, Jewels, Jet Lag, Just Living.” While fans were locked in on Julez’s flex, they also peeped Tommie Lee double-tapping his pics. Yes, Roomies, Tommie made an appearance in Julez’s likes. She didn’t drop a comment, but fans think her red heart said enough!

The Internet Weighs In On Tommie Showing Julez Love

Once TSR reposted Julez’s photos, the comment section went wild! Some folks called for Solange and Beyoncé to step to the front, while others told Tommie it wasn’t too late to pump the brakes.

Instagram user @thecoreyshow wrote, “Solange somewhere riding a bike through a field of daisies and you out here showing off.” 

Instagram user @allabout_bev wrote, “Julez is the King Harris of the family lol.” 

While Instagram user @kris__ski wrote, “Beyoncé come get your nephew lol.” 

Then Instagram user @shaddayii wrote, “Tommie said if Draya can do it, she can do it 😂😂😂😂” 

Another Instagram user @beyond_dreamz wrote, “This is not the Knowles way 🫠😩” 

Instagram user @the1msvee wrote, “This was not on my bingo card this year to have Beyoncé’s nephew pop out like this 😂” 

Then another Instagram @__noladarling wrote, “Julez & Rumi are the rebels of the family 😂” 

Finally, Instagram user @kikimama_ wrote, “Tommie it’s not to late to stop 😩”

Tommie & Julez Seemingly Break Their Silence On Viral Boo’d Up Clips

Tommie and Julez shocked social media after randomly linking up for a night out. In one clip, Julez carried Tommie on his back while saying he “likes” her, then she complimented him calling him “so fine.” Then more video footage surfaced showing the pair passionately making out. Tommie appeared to be sitting in the passenger seat of a vehicle while Julez stood outside of the door. She grabbed his shoulder, pulled him closer, and wrapped her hands around his neck.

Once the clips hit the net, both Tommie and Julez addressed the chatter. She dropped a message on her Instagram Story, seemingly totally unfazed, writing, “Lol this was fun, Hate to break it to ya, I’m not that typa girl!!!” Julez also posted photos on his IG Story, posing next to a white G-Wagon with the caption, “Just Me And Me Only.” 

RELATED: Hol’ Up! The Internet Has Questions After Video Shows Tommie Lee & Solange’s Son Julez Smith Flirting (WATCH)

Three and a half out of four stars.

In an age of revivals and reboots, it can be risky to bring back a character as beloved as The Comeback’s Valerie Cherish (a perfect Lisa Kudrow).

Valerie is a well-meaning but slightly clueless actress of a certain age who can’t get out of her own way enough to resuscitate her career. Audiences met her in Kudrow’s first post-Friends project for one brilliant but little-watched season back in 2005.

The comedy was first revived a decade later, and the long-awaited third season hits like a warm, fulfilling gab session with your much-missed bestie. The world — and the business — has changed a lot in 20 years, but Valerie is still a big-hearted Hollywood type we’ll never stop rooting for.

Related: Is Malin Akerman Returning for ‘The Comeback’ Season 3 After 11-Year Hiatus?

The Comeback is officially returning for season 3 — but is Malin Åkerman reprising her role as Juna Milken? “That is what I’m hoping for,” Åkerman, 47, exclusively told Us Weekly while promoting her Netflix series The Hunting Wives. “I’ve been texting with Lisa [Kudrow] since I found out the news was official.” Åkerman said […]

This season’s plot is particularly timely: AI has come to Tinseltown, and with it, ethically murky questions about the role the new tech will have on our lives. Valerie is planning yet another comeback, this time working on an AI-written sitcom. The horror! There are plenty of insidery jokes about the prospect of machines taking over an industry as well as tongue-in-cheek (but true!) gags about the importance of writers.

Guest stars like Andrew Scott (as the CEO of an AI company) and John Early (as a fed-up showrunner) are perfect additions to Valerie’s wacky world, which also features returning favorites like Laura Silverman and Dan Bucatinsky as Valerie’s beleaguered producer and manager, respectively.

What makes the season work, as always, is Kudrow’s delicate balancing act between cringe and compassion. If you aren’t yet familiar, do yourself a favor and binge the whole series. Just be ready to laugh.

The Comeback airs on HBO Sundays at 10:30 p.m. ET.

The Bosch franchise expanded last year with the new spin-off show, Ballard, which follows Maggie Q‘s titular detective, first introduced in the series finale of Bosch: Legacy, leading the recently opened Cold Case Unit of the LAPD while tracking down a ruthless serial killer. With a second season officially in the works for the 100% Tomatometer-rated show, Ballard has already become a worthy addition to author Michael Connelly‘s shared television universe, more than proving that gritty detective shows are still king on streaming.

‘Ballard’ Offers a Unique Perspective of the ‘Bosch’ Universe

Ballard excels by offering a unique perspective of the Bosch universe through the point of view of its lead, as well as former LAPD officer Samira Parker (Courtney Taylor). Through Ballard and Parker, the series explores the gender and social inequality that women in their positions face. Early in the first season, it’s revealed that Ballard was moved from the Robbery Homicide Division, where she was assigned during her first appearance in Bosch: Legacy, down to the Cold Case Unit, which she views as a demotion.

Later episodes reveal that Ballard’s superior officer, Lt. Robert Olivas (Ricardo Chavira), an influential detective within the department, was also sexually harassing her. However, despite Olivas’ corruption and wrongdoing, it’s Ballard who gets punished and ostracized for daring to speak out against Olivas’ misconduct, with Ballard’s own colleagues turning their backs on her. Parker later admits that she was also harassed by Olivas, inciting her exit from the LAPD. It’s a refreshing new perspective for the Bosch world because it shines a light on gender politics and inequality that run rampant in the real world, imbuing the show with a grounded edge.

Related

Prime Video’s 3-Part Crime Thriller Franchise Is Quietly Getting Better

This case keeps reopening in the best way.

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Additionally, Ballard explores social and racial injustice through Parker and her father (Frankie Faison), who was a former LAPD beat cop in the early 1990s at the height of civil unrest following the Rodney King beating and riots. Parker’s father also faced disenfranchisement over law enforcement’s racial discrimination, which is another one of the reasons why she left the force. However, Mr. Parker also points out in “BYOB” that when a Black person wears the badge, it gives them “a purpose,” as he explains: “Someone has to watch the watchmen.” Her father’s genuine and honest conviction ultimately helps sway Parker to rejoin the force as part of Ballard’s unit, providing another refreshingly unique narrative that was not previously explored in Bosch or Bosch: Legacy.

‘Ballard’ Still Features Some Familiar Faces From the ‘Bosch’ Universe

Ballard nicely maintains continuity with its flagship series with the welcome returns of Titus Welliver as Harry Bosch and Stephen Chang as Maurice “Mo” Bassi. Welliver’s Bosch skillfully serves two roles throughout the series, including as an informal narrator in the earlier episodes, providing voiceover through his notes on a past murder investigation before the case was transferred to Ballard’s unit. Bosch also makes multiple appearances throughout the season, lending Ballard his candid advice and expertise. Later in Season 1, Bosch and Mo prove crucial in exposing the LAPD’s and Lt. Olivas’ corruption.

Ultimately, Bosch and Mo’s presence upholds narrative cohesion between Ballard and Bosch: Legacy through the confirmation that the characters are still hard at work pursuing their own investigations. Moving forward, Prime Video could hopefully resume their storylines in another season of Ballard, a new Bosch spin-off, or perhaps even a movie continuation somewhere down the line.

‘Ballard’ Proves That Gritty Detective Shows Are Still Prime Drama

Image via Prime Video

Ballard‘s riveting first season ultimately proves that gritty detective shows still make the best television dramas. Much like the previous Bosch shows, Ballard depicts the eponymous detective as someone who must spend every day facing darkness, but fighting not to become consumed by it. The theme is reflected in Ballard’s words to Bosch during her first appearance in Bosch: Legacy: “When you do this work, you go into the darkness, and I think some of that darkness has gotten into you.”

Ballard routinely enters that darkness throughout the first season, and she fights to keep it at bay, but it’s this inner conflict that ultimately makes for gripping television. Taking a page from its predecessor while exploring new perspectives that the flagship series never tackled, Ballard exceptionally showcases the power of justice over corruption with a gritty and grounded realism. We can’t wait to see what the writers have in store for Detective Ballard for the show’s upcoming second season, set to debut on Prime Video at a date yet to be announced.

After much anticipation, Patricia Cornwell‘s iconic character, Dr. Kay Scarpetta, has finally been brought to life on the screen in Scarpetta. In the Prime Video series, Nicole Kidman plays the brilliant forensic pathologist. Across two timelines, with Rosy McEwen taking on her younger self, Kay uses advanced forensic technology to unravel mysteries and solve crimes in the present, ensuring her answers about the past are correct.

If you’ve breezed through the eight-episode first season, there are a handful of medical and crime thrillers that are destined to keep you equally addicted to mystery. From beloved detective procedurals to modern medical dramas, the titles on this list are perfect follow-ups to the twisty Prime Video series.

‘Broadchurch’ (2013–2017)

Image via ITV

Broadchurch is, perhaps, one of the greatest crime thrillers of all-time. Starring powerhouse British icons Olivia Colman and David Tennant, the three-season series follows the investigation into the murder of 11-year-old Danny Latimer, found dead on the beach of a small coastal town. Detectives Alec Hardy (Tennant) and Ellie Miller (Colman) uncover a community’s deep secrets through a mystery with unbelievable twists and turns as the close-knit town begins to turn on one another under the circumstances. Created by Chris Chibnall, Broadchurch is an emotional slow-burn whodunit with a profound, emotional examination of grief and the human impact of crime.

A properly plotted thriller, Broadchurch keeps the action engaging while keeping you shocked until the final reveal, a testament to the writing and the performances. A solid ensemble, which also includes Jodie Whittaker, Jonathan Bailey, Arthur Darvill, with Phoebe Waller-Bridge, Marianne Jean-Baptiste, and Julie Hesmondhalgh in subsequent seasons, lifts the material beyond plot into something profoundly human. A series that remains sensational every time you watch, there has yet to be another show that has ever come close to the brilliance of Broadchurch. And that includes the American remake, Gracepoint, which also starred Tennant as a different version of his British counterpart.

‘Criminal Minds’ (2005–Present)

Image via Paramount+

One of the most successful and longest-running police procedural crime dramas is Criminal Minds. Beginning its original run in 2005, the CBS thriller follows a group of criminal profilers who work for the FBI as members of the Behavioral Analysis Unit. The team travels the country analyzing the nation’s most dangerous serial killers, known as unsubs, to anticipate their next moves. Focusing on psychological motivations rather than just physical evidence, Criminal Minds pushes the boundaries with intense, sadistic storylines that tend to be gritty in subject matter. All on network television!

Perhaps the defining reason for the show’s longevity is not the crimes themselves but the found family dynamic among the BAU team. Allowing for a character-driven series that lets circumstances shape the characters, Criminal Minds‘ ability to focus on the psyches of the individuals in the field simultaneously with the plot garnered a cult following. Across its run, Criminal Minds featured an iconic cast that included Thomas Gibson, Matthew Gray Gubler, Kristen Vangsness, Paget Brewster, Joe Mantegna, Zach Gilford, and many more. Even with cast turnover and shocking deaths, Criminal Minds never lost steam. Though it may fall into the “is that still on?” category of television, its ability to stay fresh while reinventing itself has made it an addictive watch.

‘Critical’ (2015)

Image via Sky 1

If there is one medical drama that will keep you stressed out from start to finish, look no further than Critical. The one series run followed the trauma specialists at the Major Trauma Centre at City General Hospital as they treated critically ill patients. With each episode focused on one patient and the efforts to save their life within one hour, Critical is a high-stakes thriller that putsmedical professionals in the driver’s seat as they make life-changing decisions. Praised for its real-time feel and technical accuracy, Critical was an hour shift of The Pitt before The Pitt arrived.

Led by Lennie James as Glen Boyle, the trauma consultant and team leader, his prowess as a character actor in high-stress situations was on full display here. With such a strong actor to center the series on, it resulted in a fast-paced, adrenaline-fueled show that focused on the critical “Golden Hour.” Critical is not for the faint of heart. You feel for the patients and providers. The emotional toll of work in trauma is on full display, so when bad news has to be delivered to loved ones, it’s a gut punch. Even with all the goods there, the series didn’t draw high enough viewership, causing Critical to be axed after a single 13-episode run.

‘Dept. Q’ (2025–Present)

Image via Netflix

In Scarpetta, an old crime resurfaces. In Dept Q., it’s all about unearthing cold cases and unsolved mysteries. The sensational Netflix thriller follows Detective Carl Morck (Matthew Goode), who, after a traumatic shooting, returns to work only to be relegated to the dredges of the unsolved cases department. As Carl and his motley crew delve into the disappearance of missing prosecutor Merritt Lingard (Chloe Pirrie), secrets come to the surface in this twisted story. An enthralling and gritty drama, the dark backdrop of Edinburgh provides an extraordinary atmosphere for the unthinkable crimes that abound. With a central cold case driving the action as Carl faces the trauma of his own attack, the compelling stories intertwine, allowing one to inform the other. As the pieces fall into place, the bigger picture is soon illuminated, revealing just how twisted the first season’s story truly is.

With multiple plotlines that ultimately intertwine across congruent timelines and flashbacks, Dept. Q‘s sharp storytelling becomes its greatest asset. Dept. Q thrives thanks to its exceptional cast. Goode, in a career-best performance, shines thanks to his dynamic with his cohorts: his paraplegic partner, DI James Hardy (Jamie Sives); civilian employee Akram Salim (Alexej Manvelov); and the chipper but broken DC Rose Dickson (Leah Byrne). Other exceptional players include Chief Superintendent Moira Jacobson (Kate Dickie) and Carl’s appointed therapist, Dr. Rachel Irving (Kelly Macdonald). Underrated in its first season’s story, with so much to explore in Season 2, Dept. Q is destined to become even better.

‘Dexter’ (2006–2013)

Image via Showtime

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Though that mountain man, lumberjack-chic finale is still a sticking point for die-hard fans, everything that occurred prior was quite sensational. For eight seasons, Dexter was a smash for Showtime. Starring Michael C. Hall, the series centered on Dexter Morgan, a Miami Metro Police blood-spatter analyst who secretly works as a vigilante serial killer. Guided by a strict moral “code” from his adoptive father, he targets and kills murderers who have escaped the legal system. Showcasing Dexter’s struggle to balance his hidden, destructive urges with maintaining a normal, human life, Dexter is a juicy, off-kilter thriller that explores morality, family, loyalty, and the psychological concept of psychopathy.

Expertly blending dark humor with intense psychological suspense, Hall’s brilliant anti-hero forces viewers to sympathize with a serial killer. Hall crafts one of the strongest characters of the 21st century, bringing depth and nuance to the duplicitous Dexter. He had sensational writing that helped keep the series compelling, especially through the voice-over narrative, giving viewers a glimpse into the dark passenger inside his mind. Dexter is a bloody good time, offering a unique perspective to a typically formulaic genre. With a prequel and a sequel to add to the lore, there’s enough to keep you watching for many weekends.

‘His & Hers’ (2026)

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One of the first entries into the world of crime thrillers in 2026 was Netflix’s twisty His & Hers. Based on Alice Feeney‘s book, His & Hers follows news reporter Anna Andrews (Tessa Thompson) and her estranged husband, Detective Jack Harper (Jon Bernthal), drawn together by a murder in their Georgia town that reopens old wounds and reveals secrets. As shocking twists unravel as their inner circle is drawn into the fray, His & Hers reminds us that there are always two sides to every story. Focusing on broken relationshipsand how grief can bring out dark traits in a person, His & Hers is a family affair, just like Scarpetta.

A truly unpredictable story, His & Hers thrives through its atmospheric tension. As the body count rises and the suspect list shifts, the series becomes one you won’t be able to stop watching. From a unique storytelling perspective, shifting from unreliable narrator to unreliable narrator leaves viewers uncertain about what is true and what is contrived for someone’s particular gain. Thompson and Bernthal are at the top of their game, showing how a single event, namely the loss of a child, can actually split two once-connected individuals. Joining them with strong performances are Marin Ireland as Zoe Harper, Jack’s younger sister, and Pablo Schreiber as Richard Jones, Anna’s cameraman and her rival Lexy Jones’ (Rebecca Rittenhouse) husband. If you enjoy the familiar drama surrounding the crimes at hand, His & Hers fits the bill.

‘Luther’ (2010–2019)

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One of the finest actors of the generation is Idris Elba. A truly transformative performer, Elba dazzles in the psychological crime thriller Luther. Created by Neil Cross, the series follows DCI John Luther (Elba), a brilliant but self-destructive detective who often breaks rules to catch sadistic killers. Focusing on an intense predator-and-prey duel with criminals and on his complex relationship with the genius psychopath Alice Morgan (Ruth Wilson), Luther goes beyond the detective series through morally ambiguous characters and high-stakes storytelling.

Unafraid to be a darker crime thriller than most, Luther presents a moody, gritty portrayal of London that serves as an important character in the hunts. With shorter seasons, the series is contained to smart, fast-paced storytelling without filler content. Elba earned his BAFTA through this iconic character. Brilliant, damaged, and out-of-the-box operative, Elba’s portrayal of an individual grappling with his inner demons becomes an instant draw. Though Luther could easily be too over-the-top, the series’ villains and antagonists are unsettlingly and deeply human, making them even more sinister. Ambitious and hefty, Luther is the show you may have missed that you’ll surely regret that you did. ​​​​​​​

‘The Outsider’ (2020)

Image via HBO

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Now, for something that leans into the science fiction realm: The Outsider. Based on Stephen King‘s novel of the same name, the series follows Detective Ralph Anderson (Ben Mendelsohn) as he investigates the brutal murder of 11-year-old Frankie Peterson in Georgia. While DNA and witness evidence point to little league coach Terry Maitland (Jason Bateman), an airtight alibi forces investigators to confront a sinister, shapeshifting supernatural entity. Joined by unorthodox private investigator Holly Gibney (Cynthia Erivo), the duo uncover the truth, discovering similarities to other unsolved, horrific child murders. From crime thriller to supernatural horror, The Outsider uses the surreal as a tool to explore grief.

The Outsider masterfully merges the mundane terrors of a police drama with King’s brand of supernatural horror. The series does a fabulous job of easing into the genre shift in a plausible way. Thanks to the unique dynamic between Mendelsohn and Erivo, they carry the series to victory across its ten episodes. Like a good King adaptation, the atmosphere is created through tense cinematography. There’s nothing more creepy than a still shot to send a chill down your spine. Though a second season was written, it never came to fruition. Thankfully, the single season served as a faithful adaptation of an underrated King piece.

‘True Detective’ (2014–Present)

The 2010s ushered in the rise of the anthology series. One of the exceptional entries was HBO’s True Detective. Created by Nic Pizzolatto, each season follows a dark, often occult-themed murder investigation across different locations and time periods. Focusing heavily on the psychological scars, personal flaws, and deep philosophical conflicts of the detectives involved rather than just the crime itself, True Detective is a dip in and dip out style series, but if you watch them all, you’ll be highly addicted. With each season self-contained, featuring a new ensemble of characters and stories, True Detective soars thanks to its gritty narratives and its ability to keep commonality through individuality.

Thus far, True Detective has presented four distinct stories. Season 1, the Southern Gothic, tells the story of detectives Rust Cohle (Matthew McConaughey) and Marty Hart (Woody Harrelson) investigating ritualistic murders in Louisiana over 17 years, spanning 1995 to 2012. Season 2’s crime noir tells the story of three detectives. When California Highway Patrol officer and war veteran Paul Woodrugh (Taylor Kitsch) discovers the body of corrupt city manager Ben Caspere on the side of a highway, Vinci Police Department detective Raymond “Ray” Velcoro (Colin Farrell) and Ventura County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigation Division Sergeant Antigone “Ani” Bezzerides (Rachel McAdams) are called to assist in the following investigation. Meanwhile, Career criminal Francis “Frank” Semyon (Vince Vaughn) attempts to legitimize his business with his wife Jordan (Kelly Reilly) by investing in a rail project overseen by Caspere. In Season 3, the story takes place in the Ozarks over three decades as partner detectives, Wayne Hays (Mahershala Ali) and Roland West (Stephen Dorff), investigate a macabre crime involving two missing children. And finally, the fourth season, subtitled Night Country, follows detectives Chief Liz Danvers (Jodie Foster) and Trooper Evangeline Navarro (Kali Reis) as they investigate the disappearance of researchers from a remote station in Alaska.

Each of the four seasons is remarkable on its own. Watch in chronological order or start with your favorite star. However you begin, True Detective is an excellent series. With top-notch performances and cinematic-quality filmmaking, True Detective satisfies the crime bug. With such a focus on character-driven stories, True Detective is quite a heavy, intellectual show that dives deep into the individual psyches during the investigations. With a range of themes, including morality, religion, and the nature of time, True Detective changed the vision of thrillers forever.

‘Watson’ (2025–Present)

Image via CBS

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Finding that intersection of crime and medical drama comes Watson. The relatively new CBS series is a modern riff on the Sherlock Holmes mythology. Set one year following Sherlock’s (Robert Carlyle) death, Dr. John Watson (Morris Chestnut) runs a Pittsburgh clinic treating rare, complex diseases. Leading a team dedicated to treating these diseases, Watson is a modern adaptation of a classic concept that blends detective-style drama with a medical thriller. Giving the beloved sidekick the spotlight, Watson elevates the House tropes, lending a more optimistic tone in which medical mysteries must be solved.

A unique take on the medical detective story, Watson engages Sherlock Holmes fans while still finding its own identity in modern television. Through a familiar case-of-the-week format, the series seamlessly marries crime and medicine, with Watson playing a detective as a patient’s life serves as clues to help save their lives. Chestnut is a formidable lead, proving you don’t need Sherlock after all.

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Watson

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Release Date

January 26, 2025

Showrunner

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Craig Sweeny

Directors

Larry Teng, Bille Woodruff, Jeffrey W. Byrd, Jennifer Lynch, Kristin Lehman, Mario Van Peebles, Ron Underwood, Tara Nicole Weyr, Christine Moore, Clara Aranovich

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  Morris Chestnut

  Dr. John Watson

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  Eve Harlow

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  Dr. Ingrid Derian

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Quinn Maybrook (Katie Douglas) and her father, Glenn (Aaron Adams), move to the small town of Kettle Springs, Missouri, looking for a fresh start following the death of her mom. Katie befriends some local teens and learns that the town has fallen on hard times, attributed to the destruction of their corn syrup factory, which the community blames on a group of kids who were killed there. But it wasn’t partying teens that condemned the town of Kettle Springs: it was a murderous clown, who returns to take even more victims.

Despite the ridiculous title (it’s actually based on a young adult novel of the same name from 2020), Clown in a Cornfield is actually a solid horror movie that cleverly subverts expectations. The movie executes a masterful blend of gory kills, laugh-out-loud comedy and some surprising, even interesting ideas. 

By Chris Snellgrove
| Published 9 seconds ago

One of the more underrated parts of marriage is that you’re involved in a kind of ongoing cultural exchange. Over the course of a lifetime, both of you will introduce each other to various things you love. This includes favorite songs, foods, and books. Of course, if both of you are pop culture junkies, it also means favorite TV shows. Once you binge enough series with your partner, you’ll know plenty about what makes them tick, all while watching shows you might not otherwise check out.

That’s how I ended up watching Bridgerton, the breakout Netflix hit that all the ladies love. I was surprised by how much I liked this show that drives all the girls crazy, and equally surprised by how much I enjoyed its sprawling cast of quirky characters (#TeamBenedict over here). But as a lifelong sci-fi nerd, I was also struck by how much Star Trek and Star Wars could stand to learn from this Netflix show. You see, Bridgerton specializes in doing something that these legendary sci-fi franchises have forgotten how to do: simply giving fans more of what they love, year after year.

The Ultimate Ladies’ Show

Bridgerton is a show that takes place in an alternate universe 19th century and focuses on the titular Bridgerton family. Each season focuses on marrying off one of the Bridgerton brood, and there is plenty of drama about who they will end up with, along with plenty of scheming from the wealthy families of Regency-era London. Hovering over all of these proceedings are two powerful women: Queen Elizabeth, a monarch who loves nothing more than romantic drama, and Lady Whistledown, the anonymous author of a self-published tabloid who entertains everyone with gossip about the local residents.

What does a romantic drama aimed squarely at women have to do with Star Trek and Star Wars, two franchises that have often (though not exclusively) been aimed at men? The short answer is that, unlike these iconic sci-fi brands, Bridgerton never changes its essential formula. Sure, each season focuses on a different primary character and different stories among supporting characters. However, you can bet your latest copy of Lady Whistledown that each season will feature the following: a Bridgerton falling in love with an unlikely partner, drama about how they come from two different worlds, a handful of steamy sex scenes, and a big wedding. 

The Farce Awakens

Mind you, this isn’t a criticism: the people making this show know exactly what their audience wants, and they deliver it each season, like clockwork. The first season of the show had over 82 million viewers, instantly becoming Netflix’s most-watched series of all time. Now, Netflix is on track to adapt all eight of Julia Quinn’s best-selling Bridgerton books into their own season. While the streamer has tweaked certain storylines, they generally hew close to the vibe of Season 1 because of a fairly simple philosophy: if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.

The two biggest sci-fi franchises in the world didn’t get that memo. While The Force Awakens was a soft reboot of A New Hope, Disney spent the rest of the Sequel Trilogy trying to do something completely different than the original Star Wars trilogy. The failure of these movies was so complete that the House of Mouse pivoted to the small screen, where the biggest failures (like The Acolyte and The Book of Boba Fett) were the ones that deviated the most from the original formula. Successful shows, meanwhile, built off existing mythology (like Ahsoka and Obi-Wan Kenobi) or at least leaned into the spirit of the OT (The Mandalorian and Andor).

To Coldly Go

The same thing happened once Star Trek returned to the small screen. The most beloved shows have been the ones recreating the formula of The Original Series (like Strange New Worlds) or serving as a love letter to the Golden Age of ‘80s and ‘90s Trek (like Lower Decks). Some shows half-assed it: Picard only got good in the final season, when Paramount finally gave us the TNG reunion we wanted from the beginning. Discovery, however, only got canceled when it stopped trying to update TOS and tried doing something new. Disco spinoff Starfleet Academy was the most unconventional Trek ever made, and it was canceled immediately after its first season.

The lesson is so simple a blind man could see it (sorry, Geordi): the producers of these blockbuster sci-fi franchises need to stick with what works. Star Trek and Star Wars fans aren’t going to suddenly wake up one day and want something completely different than what they fell in love with in the first place. Like Luke Skywalker and his obsession with colorful milk, these fans know what they want. Simply put, they want the same formula with just a few minor tweaks and surprises. In other words, they want what Bridgerton fans are getting each season!

I’m no Lady Whistledown, but this is what I hope Disney and Paramount will learn from the success of Bridgerton: nobody wants you to change the formula and create, say, the “New Coke” of Star Wars. They want the stories of tomorrow grounded very firmly in the successful stories of yesteryear.

The more producers try to subvert our expectations and completely change what has worked before, the more they ruin what made these franchises successful in the first place. Netflix figured it out, and it’s time for other streamers to internalize the simplest message in the galaxy: if you keep giving the people what they want, they’ll keep wanting what you have to give!