Fantasy is often a very serious genre. There’s not a lot of room for humor in series like The Lord of the Rings or Game of Thrones, amidst the betrayals, dramatic deaths, and epic battle scenes. That’s where Paramount+ comes in with a new adaptation of Golden Axe, the classic Sega arcade game that’s now a rib-tickling animated series. Introduced in 1989, Golden Axe was a classic quarter-muncher that allowed players to choose from one of three characters: the axe-wielding dwarf Gilius Thunderhead; the barbarian swordsman Ax Battler; and the amazonian warrior Tyris Flare. All three sought vengeance against the evil overlord Death Adder, who served as the game’s final boss. The game was a hit, and spawned several sequels, with the latest being released in 2008.

All three warriors take center stage in the new trailer for Golden Axe: the uncouth Gilius Thunderhead (Matthew Rhys, Widow’s Bay), the lovable Ax Battler (Liam McIntyre, Spartacus: Vengeance), and the stoic Tyris Flare (Lisa Gilroy, Interior Chinatown), as well as Chronos “Evil” Lait (Carl Tart, Grand Crew), a panther-man from the game’s sequels. They’re on a quest to destroy Death Adder, and Tyris’ plan should sound familiar to anyone who’s spent some time in an arcade: “Face a series of progressively harder enemies, until we have a big final battle with Death Adder.” They’re joined by Hampton Squib (Danny Pudi, Community), a would-be adventurer who becomes part of the party…whether his cohorts like it or not. All ten episodes of the series will debut on Paramount+ on Wednesday, September 16.

Who Are the Creatives Behind ‘Golden Axe’?

If you’re still mourning Star Trek: Lower Decks, Paramount+ has good news. Lower Decks mastermind Mike McMahan co-wrote the first episode of Golden Axe and is an executive producer on the series. Joe Chandler, a veteran of American Dad, also co-wrote the pilot and serves as executive producer and showrunner. Sega’s Haruki Satomi, Shuji Utsumi, and Toru Nakahara will also executive produce alongside Neal H. Moritz, Pavun Shetty, and Toby Ascher of Original Film. Titmouse, the studio behind series like Metalocalypse, The Venture Bros, and Tales of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, animates the series, with Chris Prynoski, Shannon Prynoski, Antonio Canobbio, and Ben Kalina serving as executive producers.

All ten episodes of Golden Axe will premiere on Paramount+ on Wednesday, September 16. Stay tuned to Collider for future updates.

Image via Paramount

It’s been over seven years since CBS’s “The Big Bang Theory” ended, with multiple spin-offs following. Recently, Mayim Bialik appeared in the newest series set in the show’s universe, “Stuart Fails to Save the Universe.” Following the much-buzzed-about appearance on the HBO Max series, the “Blossom” alum is opening up about where she stands with the cast.

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Bialik interviewed with PEOPLE in August 2026, discussing her recent appearance on “Stuart Fails to Save the Universe,” which featured cameos from several other actors from the original series, including Kaley Cuoco. Regarding her status with her former co-stars, she said, “I guess I’m closest with John Ross Bowie.” For context, he portrayed Barry Kripke on the beloved show.

She also mentioned Kevin Sussman, who stars in the newest spin-off of “The Big Bang Theory.” According to her, “I have such respect for Kevin Sussman and the work that we got to do together and just watching how he takes direction and how he so effortlessly has stepped into the role of leading man.”

The actress continued, “I worked with Lauren [Lapkus] and Brian [Posehn]’s been on our podcast, so I have other connections, but in terms of  the emotional connection, I like being able to reach out to John and to Kevin and to be able to say, ‘I do not have any memory in my career of being this excited for another actor.”

Mayim Bialik Also Spoke About Her Relationship With Melissa Rauch

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During the conversation, Bialik also opened up about the deep respect for the cast, especially Melissa Rauch, who played Bernadette Rostenkowski-Wolowitz on the show. Notably, she also shared that they had an encounter behind the scenes of “Stuart Fails to Save the Universe.”

According to Bialik, “I’m very close with Melissa Rauch. So she and I talked the most about scheduling and things like that. Regarding their recent encounter, she shared, “We were actually able to physically connect on set, me and Melissa. I can’t remember if she was there for a wardrobe fitting, and it was my filming day. I don’t remember, but that was really, really special.”

From there, Bialik went on to note the impact of their respective roles on “The Big Bang Theory.” She explained, “Bernadette, the character of Bernadette, was a microbiologist on ‘The Big Bang Theory.’ We were two women in science, both with very different personalities, very different aesthetics.”

The former “Jeopardy” host continued, “And we both represented as equally competent, fun, interesting people. I think that’s actually the truth about a lot of people in science, and in particular, a lot of women in science.”

‘The Big Bang Theory’ Ended In 2019

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“The Big Bang Theory” premiered on CBS in 2007 and ran for 12 seasons, ending in 2019 after 279 episodes. Since then, three spin-off series have aired, starting with “Young Sheldon,” which concluded in May 2024 after seven seasons. Now, season three of “Georgie & Mandy’s First Marriage” begins in October, and “Stuart Fails to Save the Universe” has already been renewed for a second season.

During her PEOPLE interview, Bialik opened up about returning for the newest show. She said, “I would’ve been happy to come back as any iteration of anything. Just to get to be part of the Chuck Lorre universe and also to do this with Kevin and John and with Lauren and Brian, so I would’ve been happy literally to do anything.”

Mayim Bialik Shared Sad News About The Planned ‘Blossom’ Reboot In 2025

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Before “The Big Bang Theory,” the world got to know Bialik through the 1990s sitcom “Blossom.” Regarding the planned reboot, Bialik revealed in 2023 that a script had been written and that the original cast had interest in returning for the series. She later stated that the new version might not be a sitcom, as the original show was.

However, according to The Wrap, she said in August 2025 that Disney, which retains the rights to “Blossom,” decided not to move forward with the series. She said the company’s change of heart came after it showed interest in the show the year before.

She said on Substack, “We will likely never know … why they would not let us bring these beautiful stories to people who love 90s nostalgia and who have a special place in their hearts for Blossom.”

Mayim Has A New Movie In The Works

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Deadline reported in August 2025 that Bialik had been cast in an upcoming rom-com, “Go-Love-Go,” alongside her former “Call Me Kat” co-stars Cheyenne Jackson and John Griffin. Notably, Griffin not only stars in the movie, but he also wrote and produced it.

Currently, IMDb lists the film as in post-production, with no release date announced.

Darren Silverman (Jason Biggs) is finally in a relationship with a beautiful, intelligent woman, Judith Fessbegler (Amanda Peet). Unfortunately, she’s a controlling monster and is making his life miserable. His best friends, Wayne (Steve Zahn) and J.D. (Jack Black), hatch a plot to “save” him by reuniting him with his first love, Sandy (Amanda Detmer), but their plan backfires when Judith finds out about it. Darren just wants to be loved, but does he have the courage to be with the right woman who will love him back?

Released at the height of American Pie’s popularity, Saving Silverman is a rom-com with its heart in the gutter. There are plenty of dirty jokes in the film, plus a subplot involving Neil Diamond that’s more groan-worthy than entertaining, but it’s still a fun romp with enough laughs and romance to satisfy genre fans. Black and Peet shine as two people fighting for Darren’s happiness; they’ll do anything, even physically assaulting one another, to get their man.

It seems that Jake Paul has not called off his wedding to Jutta Leerdam, despite viral social media posts claiming the boxer ended their engagement over alleged cheating and excessive spending. The explosive story appears to have originated from fabricated captions attached to old or unrelated footage. There is no credible interview, statement, or verified report supporting claims that Leerdam cheated on Paul or that he spent $100,000 per month on her. In fact, Leerdam was publicly discussing their wedding plans just one month before the unsupported breakup story began circulating.

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The rumor spread through social media posts alleging that Paul had canceled his wedding after accusing Leerdam of cheating on him three additional times. One widely circulated post read: “Jake Paul has officially called off his wedding to Jutta Leerdam after claiming she cheated on him three more times. He admitted he used to beg her to stay and was spending $100K a month on her before finally hitting his breaking point.”

The post then attributed two statements to Paul: “I told her after the third one I’m done,” and “She thought I was joking.” However, no source was identified for either statement, and there is no evidence that Paul said those words. A fact-check published by The Times of India determined that the allegations were false and traced them to a viral post that repurposed older footage with fabricated captions.

Neither Paul nor Leerdam has announced the end of their engagement. No reputable report has substantiated the accusations of cheating or high spending.

Jutta Leerdam Recently Revealed Her Wedding Must-Have

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The timing of the rumor is particularly questionable because Leerdam openly talked about the couple’s wedding a month earlier. While attending Sports Illustrated’s Beyond the Pitch event in New York City on July 18, the Dutch speed skater told PEOPLE that her must-have for the celebration was simple: “Have fun and dance.”

Leerdam also described the habits that have helped her relationship with Paul remain strong. “I think just having fun, doing a lot of date nights, supporting each other in each other’s dreams,” she said.

She identified their engagement as her “favorite” and “best date” Paul had ever planned, praising the professional boxer for an elaborate, romantic proposal. “He planned it really well, and it was an amazing, magical experience, and he’s very good at date nights and planning romantic things, so I’m very lucky,” Leerdam told the outlet.

Those comments offered no indication that the couple had canceled their wedding or that their relationship was collapsing.

Jake Paul Said Proposing Made Him More Nervous Than Fighting

Paul proposed at Jade Mountain, a luxury beachfront resort in Saint Lucia. He got down on one knee on a bed covered with white rose petals while Leerdam’s parents were present for the surprise. The couple announced their engagement through a joint Instagram post on March 22, 2025. “We’re engaged. we can’t wait to spend forever together,” they wrote alongside photos from the proposal.

Speaking about the moment days later, Paul admitted that asking Leerdam to marry him left him more anxious than entering the boxing ring. “I was very nervous for the engagement, way more nervous than any of my fights, so it was all choked up and she makes me nervous, I guess,” he said.

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Leerdam was equally surprised because Paul had arranged for her parents to witness the proposal without her knowledge. “I didn’t know my parents were going to be there, so that was the biggest surprise ever. I was in shock, but it was the best day of my life, really,” she shared.

Jutta Leerdam Called Jake Paul ‘The Most Romantic Guy In The World’

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Four days after announcing their engagement, Paul and Leerdam made their first red carpet appearance as an engaged couple at the New York City premiere of “Paul American.”

The HBO Max reality series follows Paul and members of his famous family. During the event, the couple wore coordinating black ensembles, shared affectionate kisses and posed together as Leerdam showed off her engagement ring. She described it as “the best ring ever” and called Paul “the most romantic guy in the world.”

“He is doing it all for me. Like it’s the sweetest thing and I’m super lucky. I don’t think people expect that from him,” she told PEOPLE.

Paul once again acknowledged how nervous he had been, describing the proposal as “Way more nervous than any of my fights.”

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The couple didn’t immediately begin planning the ceremony because Leerdam was focused on preparing for the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan. “I can’t plan before that. I’m not allowed by myself,” she explained. “I first want to work towards the Olympics, get everything out of there, and of course, I’m going for that Olympic gold. And then after, yeah, I can start planning. So the wedding will probably be the summer after.”

Jake Paul And Jutta Leerdam Went Public In 2023

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Paul and Leerdam made their relationship official on Instagram in April 2023.

Paul shared photos of the couple and joked, “Im Dutch now.”

Their romance later became more visible through public appearances, sporting events and “Paul American.” Leerdam has frequently described Paul as supportive, while he has appeared at several of her major speed skating competitions.

The latest viral claims provide no verifiable evidence that anything has changed between them. The alleged cheating accusations, $100,000 monthly spending claim, and supposed canceled wedding all appear to have come from fabricated social media content rather than Paul, Leerdam, or anyone authorized to speak for the couple.

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For now, the publicly available and fact-checked information indicates that Paul and Leerdam remain engaged, with the wedding plans Leerdam recently discussed still intact.

In television, the cream tends to rise to the top. Of the countless shows airing at any one time, there are always a select few that stand out above the crowd, thanks almost entirely to their quality. Whether it’s a laugh-a-minute sitcom, a twisting dark mystery, a gripping drama, or even a goosebump-inducing horror series, the very best shows will always prove themselves. By proving themselves, their viewing figures will only rocket, spawning dollar signs in the eyes of higher-ups and the inevitable green light for more.

With their popularity in mind, production companies and networks can be forgiven for pushing their best products as far as possible. The likes of Game of Thrones and The Walking Dead famously hurt their own legacy by producing one too many seasons, and, with that in mind, it is even more admirable when a series can come and go in a short space of time and still make a recognized impact on audiences. But finding the sweet spot is perhaps the hardest task, as the shortest shows search for the most natural and satisfying place to bring their stories to a close. With those specific titles in mind, and without further ado, here are the greatest shows with fewer than 30 episodes.

‘The Queen’s Gambit’ (2020)

Image via Netflix

It’s worth starting this list by acknowledging that, although some shows are designed as a miniseries, they are still worthy of praise for finding a neat circular story in an even shorter space of time than most of their contemporaries. One of the most modern examples of the miniseries perfected is The Queen’s Gambit, which is the story about a prodigious introvert and orphan Beth Harmon (Anya Taylor-Joy), who flourishes through the mastering of the game of chess.

A masterclass in character development in just seven episodes, The Queen’s Gambit features some of the best writing of the past decade, and boasts one of the finest performances in the career of Taylor-Joy so far. Was the series helped by the COVID-19 pandemic, with viewers in their millions locked inside and looking for the best shows on streaming? Sure, but global crisis or not, this is a series well worth both its popularity and its flowers.

‘Happy Valley’ (2014–2023)

Image via BBC

The Brits are known for having shorter seasons of television, with many of their best projects ending on a relatively quick high. Those across the pond are also known for producing some of the best crime dramas in the world, with Happy Valley the perfect combination of both, a series that won a remarkable 6 BAFTAs during its run.

Created by Sally Wainwright, the series follows Sarah Lancashire‘s Sergeant Catherine Cawood as she navigates personal issues in her drug-fueled community in Yorkshire’s Calder Valley​​​​​. Sporting some of the finest ensemble performances in the genre’s modern history, highlighted by a career-defining turn from James Norton as Tommy Lee Royce, this utterly gripping masterclass in storytelling is both a thrilling game of cat-and-mouse and a detailed exploration of the cycle of crime in working-class Britain.

‘Firefly’ (2002–2003)

Image via FOX

When people talk about the most egregious cancellations in TV history, the active sabotage of the brilliant space Western Firefly by Fox is always mentioned. In fact, following its cancellation, an initial petition to bring the series back scored more than 17,000 signatures, with the massive physical mail campaign that followed flooding Fox with angry postcards and letters. However, in the dark clouds of cancellation, a silver lining emerged, with Firefly‘s limited 14 episodes enough to award it a place on this list.

Created by Joss Whedon, Firefly follows Captain Mal Reynolds (Nathan Fillion) and his crew aboard the “Firefly-class” spaceship as they evade warring factions and authority agents during their trips across the galaxy. Blending sci-fi, comedy, and Western genres to perfect effect, Firefly was a hit with both viewers and critics, even winning the Primetime Emmy for Outstanding Special Visual Effects for a Series. 24 years later, it still maintains a well-deserved, die-hard fanbase.

‘The Leftovers’ (2014–2017)

Image via HBO

At 28 episodes long, The Leftovers just lands a place on this list. The show’s premise is simple yet ever-so-effective, as 140 million people suddenly vanish in an event called the “Global Departure”. Based on Tom Perrotta‘s novel of the same name, the narrative twists and turns in all manner of unexpected directions, keeping many millions of viewers gripped across three seasons.

However, even though this clever sci-fi series earned plenty of praise at the time of its release, The Leftovers has grown in popularity since it came to an end nine years ago. Justin Theroux and Carrie Coon deliver just two of the many memorable turns throughout the series, with Ann Dowd shockingly the only actor presented with a Primetime Emmy for her guest performance in the genius Season 3, Episode 7, “The Most Powerful Man in the World (and His Identical Twin Brother).”

‘The Office’ (2001–2003)

Image via BBC

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It’s simply remarkable that a low-budget comedy, produced by an unknown duo, and following the mundane every day of a British workplace could ever find success. But Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant‘s The Office didn’t just find success; it revolutionized the way TV comedy was produced, throwing out the traditional multi-camera studio setups and artificial laugh tracks and instead championing the uncomfortable reality of a single-camera set-up.

He may have since become a parody of his former self, but Gervais’ David Brent is one of the greatest comedic creations. In The Office, he is the awkward, affection-starved anchor to a series that, as much as it is about highly-relatable cringe, is also about the unmissable will-they/won’t-they romance of Tim (Martin Freeman) and Dawn (Lucy Davis). No matter what, without this series there wouldn’t have been Michael Scott (Steve Carell), and that alone is worth celebrating.

‘Fleabag’ (2016–2019)

Image via Prime Video

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In the 21st century, comedy has come of age, with the most successful modern comedies blending dark drama into their humor. Perhaps the very best to do this is Phoebe Waller-Bridge in Fleabag, which began life as her one-woman show that won a Fringe First Award at Edinburgh Fringe 2013. It was BBC Three who gave the show a chance on screen, and the rest is history, with Fleabag quickly growing a huge following and plenty of critical acclaim.

One of the most intelligent and inventive uses of fourth wall-breaking in modern TV, Waller-Bridge’s unnamed protagonist fights grief, the terrible state of modern dating, and a constant battle of inner feminist wills in a story that, at the time of its release, was the freshest thing on television. What starts as a genius introspective tale of sex and feminism in 21st-century Britain in its first season evolves into a clever blend of religion and romance in a second season that somehow tops its predecessor.

‘Band of Brothers’ (2001)

The blueprint for all war series in the 21st century is one of HBO’s best projects. From producers Steven Spielberg and Tom Hanks, who reunited after their work on Saving Private Ryan to adapt Stephen Ambrose’s 1992 book, Band of Brothers follows the parachute infantry known as Easy Company during the Second World War, and is one of the most historically accurate and well-researched shows in TV history.

Tales of war, from Full Metal Jacket to Jarhead, are so often coated in Hollywood narrative styling. Band of Brothers is more interested in organically discovering its emotional core through a realistic depiction of life in combat. From days in training to the most important moments of the war, Band of Brothers leaves no stone unturned in a poignant exploration of the modern world’s most devastating conflict, and does so with a famously star-studded cast that includes Damian Lewis, Ron Livingston, David Schwimmer, Donnie Wahlberg, Michael Fassbender, Tom Hardy, Simon Pegg, James McAvoy, and many more.

‘Chernobyl’ (2019)

Image via HBO

Of all the miniseries to have graced our screens in the 21st century, none are as detailed, devastating, and worthy of gushing praise as Chernobyl. To tell a tale as tragic and true as the nuclear accident of April 26, 1986, requires some brave storytelling, but to do so with such deft honesty and justice is frankly remarkable. Of course, this is the retelling of the aforementioned incident at the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant, focused mainly on the immediate and long-term aftermath.

The personal and political ramifications of the Chernobyl disaster are on full display in nuanced genius throughout each of these five episodes, making for utterly affecting viewing. The series won an incredible ten Primetime Emmys (enough for two for each episode), alongside countless other prizes from across the world as it swept up the 2020 TV awards season. It might be a miniseries, but Chernobyl packs as much of an emotional, expansive punch as any other show with many more episodes.

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Chernobyl

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Release Date

2019 – 2019

Network

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HBO

Showrunner

Craig Mazin

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Directors

Johan Renck

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Last year, Fantastic Fest, the largest genre film festival in the U.S., celebrated its 20th anniversary with a bang, delivering a lineup of horror, sci-fi, and action gems that mixed big tentpoles like Black Phone 2 and Sisu 2: Road to Revenge with indie darlings like Charlie Polinger‘s The Plague. Collider had the honor of sharing the anniversary with the prestigious event and showcasing 20 images from some of the buzziest titles in attendance across 20 days in celebration. Now, with less than one month left until the 2026 iteration and the film lineup announced, we’re doing it all again. This time, though, Collider’s Exclusive Preview series is expanding to 21 images to commemorate 21 years of Fantastic Fest, and we’re kicking this year’s partnership off with a new look at the bonkers sci-fi comedy Into the Sky, starring Emmy winner Sam Richardson (Ted Lasso).

Into the Sky casts the Detroiters and Veep star as Bobby, a desperate man whose life has been destroyed by the extraterrestrial. He’s first introduced to viewers butt-naked on a North Carolina golf course drenched in strange blue goo and nowhere near his home in upstate New York, but this is nothing new. Over the course of a year, he’s been repeatedly abducted by aliens for some unknown reason, causing his marriage to fall apart because of his constant disappearances. Amid his unique predicament, he forges an unexpected partnership with a woman named Nico who’s currently renting his home and has her own problems to deal with as the planner of her brother’s wedding. While he helps her prepare for the big day, she’ll aid him in reconnecting with his wife, though when another victim who’s been dealing with alien abductions for five years appears, Bobby’s life takes an even more chaotic and high-stakes turn.

Our exclusive image appears to take place at Nico’s brother’s wedding, where Bobby is once again faced with his abductors. Although no aircraft is seen, the darkened skies and look of pure terror and bewilderment on his face indicate the menace has returned to torment him once again. What makes Into the Sky more than just a silly alien abduction flick is that Bobby’s fear is born from the effect the aliens have had on his life. The film is billed as a cosmic mystery that blossoms into a heartfelt romance about a man determined to repair his relationship with the love of his life, while the forces beyond him stand in his way. In this case, another abduction may be about to separate him from his new friend at the worst possible time.

Who Is Behind ‘Into the Sky’?

Drew Mylrea and Evan Wolf Buxbaum joined forces to write and direct Into the Sky in their feature debut as a duo. Both previously served behind the camera on the television series Small Town, Big Story, though Buxbaum’s efforts have primarily been focused on the production side of the industry. Mylrea, meanwhile, is perhaps best known for directing the survival thriller Last Survivors with Alicia Silverstone. For their collaboration, the duo brought together a strong mix of comedic and dramatic talent around Richardson, including David Cross, Sofia Black-D’Elia, Arturo Castro, and more.

Into the Sky makes its world premiere at Fantastic Fest, which runs from September 17 through 24 at the Alamo Drafthouse South Lamar in Austin, Texas. Check out our exclusive image above and stay tuned here at Collider for more looks at the festival’s entries in the run-up to its opening. Visit the official Fantastic Fest film guide for more information on everything playing during the event.

Johnny Depp could finally be preparing to sail the high seas once again.

Longtime Pirates of the Caribbean producer Jerry Bruckheimer has confirmed that Johnny Depp is currently in talks to return to the franchise, potentially bringing Captain Jack Sparrow back for the upcoming sixth installment.

While speaking with Deadline during D23, Bruckheimer offered one of the most promising updates yet regarding Depp’s involvement.

“We’re talking to Johnny. We’re working on a screenplay. Hopefully we can get this done,”

Bruckheimer said.

The comments are significant because previous updates largely centered on Bruckheimer’s desire to bring Depp back. In 2025, the producer revealed that he had spoken with Depp and believed the actor could return if he was happy with how Jack Sparrow was written. Now, those conversations appear to have progressed as development continues on the screenplay.

Pirates of the Caribbean [disney]

Depp first appeared as Captain Jack Sparrow in 2003’s Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl, a performance that quickly became one of the defining roles of his career. He returned for four additional movies, most recently starring in 2017’s Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales.

Across its five theatrical installments, the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise has earned more than $4.5 billion worldwide.

Exactly what a sixth movie will look like remains unclear. Bruckheimer and Disney have spent years developing different approaches to continuing the franchise, including plans involving Margot Robbie and concepts featuring a combination of new and returning characters.

Jerry Bruckheimer reveals conversations have been had with Johnny Depp about returning as Captain Jack Sparrow in ‘Pirates of the Caribbean 6’ | #D23 pic.twitter.com/52iJn7apD1

— Deadline (@DEADLINE) August 16, 2026

Most importantly, Depp has not officially signed on for Pirates of the Caribbean 6. Bruckheimer’s comments confirm that discussions are taking place, but a deal still needs to be reached and the screenplay remains in development.

Still, after years of uncertainty surrounding Captain Jack Sparrow’s future, this is arguably the strongest indication yet that Johnny Depp could actually return to the franchise.

Pirates of the Caribbean 6 does not currently have an announced release date.

The fourth and final season of HBO’s House of the Dragon, expected to premiere sometime in 2028, will have to cover a lot of ground in eight episodes. The just-concluded penultimate season marked the end of the road for many beloved characters and was bookended by two major conflicts: the Battle of the Gullet and the First Battle of Tumbleton. If following the war record outlined in George R.R. Martin’s Fire & Blood, Season 4 will be even more chock-full of dragon-on-dragon conflict and gutting character losses. Doom and gloom (and spoilers) ahead!

As much as House of the Dragon has caught some heat from fans for breaking from the source material, it bears mentioning that Fire & Blood is a tricky book to adapt. It’s a dense history tome, with pretty sparse dialogue. Events are chronicled through conflicting accounts. Characters sometimes disappear into the historical record, leaving room for the show to take some creative liberties while filling in the gaps. With the Dance of the Dragons hurtling toward its bloody conclusion, House of the Dragon has several available exits for its sprawling saga of war-torn Westeros. Here are five possible book-sourced endings that could round out the brutal Game of Thrones prequel.

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“The Hour of the Wolf”

Image via HBO

When Lord Cregan Stark (Tom Taylor) made his debut in Season 2 Episode 1, book readers were pumped, knowing how key a role he plays in the fallout of the Dance. The Hour of the Wolf is explored in the Fire & Blood chapter titled “Aftermath.” The ominous name refers to the brief period of Stark leadership in King’s Landing after Aegon II (Tom-Glynn Carney) is poisoned.

Fulfilling his promise made to Jacaerys Velaryon (Harry Collett) and his loyalty to Rhaenyra and Team Black, Cregan arrives with an army that “swaggered through the city like so many armored bears” to declare one thing: “The North remembers.” For six days, the Lord of Winterfell served as Hand of the King, protecting the child monarch, Aegon III. It is noted that Stark never sat the Iron Throne, but on a wooden bench beside it. Throughout the six days, he worked to restore justice, overseeing trials and doling out punishments. This is perhaps the most immediate, satisfying, and natural epilogue to the Dance. The dragons are all but wiped out, House Targaryen is in shambles, and a formidable, loyal Stark arrives to clean up the mess and remind us that, yes, winter is coming.

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The Dowager Queen Meets the Stranger

Image via HBO

House of the Dragon has both expanded and diminished Alicent’s character throughout the course of three seasons. Her and Rhaenyra’s bond is kept at the heart of the conflict, for better or worse. By the end of the war, she is left with nothing and no one. If the show wanted to take the hallucination route to tie up loose ends, this haunted survivor would be the best vehicle for it.

Although Alicent does make it through the Dance, none of her children do. Confined to the Red Keep, succumbing to a madness of grief and isolation, she eventually catches the Winter Fever and subsequently passes away from the illness. Fire & Blood sums, “The Stranger came for her on a rainy night, at the hour of the wolf.” Before her death, she confessed her sins to her septa, and talked of her sons, her sweet Helaena, and even old King Jaehaerys, but never her husband, Viserys I (Paddy Considine). To rest the show’s final moments on Alicent might be a polarizing choice, but given the Dance largely started because of a misinterpreted deathbed utterance, this might be a fitting point of symmetry.

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Regency of Aegon III

Image via HBO

The first season of House of the Dragon utilized multiple time jumps in order to cover the necessary ground to set up the Dance. Similarly, a time jump cannot be ruled out for Season 4. The ending of the civil war in Fire & Blood is marked by the beginning of “the melancholy reign of King Aegon III Targaryen.” Aegon III is Daemon and Rhaenyra’s first son together, who has only been briefly featured in the first two seasons, before being shipped off to Pentos with his brother.

Since Aegon III is significantly aged down in House of the Dragon, the only way this ending would work is through the use of a time jump to try and realign the book-show narratives. As Aegon is too young to rule after the Dance, a Council of Regents is appointed for him. One of the prominent survivors of the war, Corlys Velaryon (Steve Toussaint), becomes one of said regents for the boy king, as well as Tyland Lannister (Jefferson Hall). It would be a quieter, more politically detailed way to end House of the Dragon, but, if properly executed, it would rightly showcase the traumatized post-war future of House Targaryen, huddled around a catatonic young boy who would come to be known as Aegon the Unhappy.

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Battle Above the Gods Eye

Image via HBO

This aerial dragon battle, six years in the making, is definitely explosive enough to serve as a grand finale. Daemon Targaryen (Matt Smith) and Aemond Targaryen (Ewan Mitchell) both, in Season 2, became aware of their inevitable deaths. The latter through his sister, the dreamer Helaena Targaryen (Phia Saban), and the former through a pivotal Weirwood vision at Harrenhal. Their long-awaited confrontation above the Gods Eye lake is an epic, fiery end for the two men and their dragons.

Of course, ending on this massive event would mean manipulating the timeline quite a bit, but House of the Dragon has already done just that by putting Helaena’s death in the Season 3 finale. If the show really wants to go out with a bang, this is certainly the way to do so, and it would keep two fan-favorite characters alive until the last possible moment. Not to mention, this ending creates an opportunity to weigh in on (or dispel) one of the biggest what-ifs mentioned in the book: Daemon’s body disappearing after the battle. Fire & Blood even notes that “the singers tell us the old prince survived the fall.” Regardless of whether the songs are true, Daemon Targaryen lives on as a legend.

1

“The Witch Queen”

Image via HBO

Another Harrenhal-related ending is one that slips under the radar in Fire & Blood. After the Battle Above the Gods Eye, word slowly spreads about a sorceress ruling over the cursed castle. That sorceress is none other than Alys Rivers (Gayle Rankin), the self-proclaimed widow of Aemond Targaryen. When Tyland Lannister and a host of men from King’s Landing show up to reclaim Harrenhal, they find it armed with hundreds of men serving “the witch queen” and a young child she claims is Aemond’s son.

A skirmish breaks out at Harrenhal, and Alys’ band of loyal brigands and outlaws wins the fight. Alys is said to have raised a hand, and suddenly the head of Ser Regis Groves burst open, “spraying blood and brains.” The fear invoked by the powerful witch grows deeper still when a messenger returns from Harrenhal and says, “Seven save us all, she has a dragon. I seen it.” These tidbits from Martin’s book are all the more intriguing with the recent expansion of Alys Rivers’ lore in the Season 3 finale, including the reveal of dragon eggs left at Harrenhal by Queen Rhaena Targaryen decades earlier. Alys Rivers’ fate may be an alluring, ideal offshoot to end the series while also serving as a neat bridge to the next on-screen adaptation tackling Aegon’s Conquest — another prequel set in a time in which the supernaturally (un)aged Alys Rivers was alive.

There is certainly much and more for House of the Dragon to draw upon in shaping the final season. Whether the show opts to leave off with a grand dragon battle, a Stark-led reckoning, a haunted deathbed confession, or the supernatural hub that is Harrenhal, the possibilities are truly as numerous as the show’s casualties. Make sure to grab your tissues in two years time, as there’s no real happy ending in sight for the Greens or the Blacks, or their dragons, come Season 4.

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Release Date

August 21, 2022

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Network

HBO

Showrunner

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George R.R. Martin

Directors

Clare Kilner, Geeta Patel

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Writers

Gabe Fonseca

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• 
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  Fabien Frankel

  Ser Criston Cole

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Breaking Bad is one of the most iconic TV shows of all time. The series, following a chemistry schoolteacher who is diagnosed with an inoperable lung cancer and decides to cook meth to provide money for his family, instantly became a renowned television success. It has since served as a blueprint not just for the crime genre, but for the small screen as a whole.

Across its five scintillating seasons, it featured some of the greatest characters and most intense moments that the medium has ever seen. It also has a litany of brilliant quotes, ranging from hilarious lines of dialogue to imposing monologues which have only grown more iconic in the years since Breaking Bad finished. These are the best quotes from Breaking Bad.

15

“Stay out of my territory.”

Walter White – Season 2, Episode 10 (2009)

Image via AMC

The main reason why Bryan Cranston‘s portrayal of Walter White is easily one of the best TV performances of all time is just how well the actor sells Walt’s transformation. That transformation, of course, begins as soon as the pilot kicks in. It’s Breaking Bad‘s second season, however—particularly toward its final few episodes, “Over” included—that really sees Walt’s most pivotal early moments.

In “Over,” Walt first gives an amateur cook he runs into at a hardware store some tips. Right after the guy runs away, however, Walt realizes the seriousness of the situation. He walks to the parking lot and tells the man and his partner to stay out of his territory. “This is when Walter White became Heisenberg” tends to be a meme on the Internet, but this line truly is the earliest glimpse of Walter beginning to see himself as a kingpin. —Diego Pineda Pacheco

14

“I will kill your wife, I will kill your son, I will kill your infant daughter.”

Gustavo Fring – Season 4, Episode 11 (2011)

Image via AMC

Gustavo Fring (Giancarlo Esposito) tends to be widely recognized as one of the greatest and scariest villains in the history of television, and for good reason. His public persona is that of a polite, law-abiding businessman, while the criminal mastermind mask he chooses to don is that of a quiet, tidy, yet impossibly strict kingpin. In “Crawl Space,” however, even that mask comes off.

When Gus goes so far as to threaten the entirety of Walt’s family, it’s a line and a moment which serve multiple purposes. Fans get to see that there’s someone far more violent and sadistic hiding under Gus’ mild-mannered surface than he typically prefers to show, and Walt comes to understand that there is no version of the story where Gus lives and his loved ones come out on the other side unscathed. — Diego Pineda Pacheco

13

“You’re the smartest guy I ever met, and you’re too stupid to see… he made up his mind 10 minutes ago.”

Hank Schrader – Season 5, Episode 14 (2013)

Image via AMC

At no point does Breaking Bad pretend that Hank Schrader (Dean Norris), Walt’s brother-in-law, is a perfect man. As the show’s primary lawman, however, this DEA special agent does tend to serve as Breaking Bad‘s moral compass. Alas, there is no better way of raising the stakes in a drama series’ final season than by killing the moral compass character off, a trope that Hank fell victim to in what many people consider the best TV episode in history, “Ozymandias.”

There are plenty of moments in Breaking Bad‘s final season that can be considered turning points, both for the show as a whole and for Walter more specifically. There is no turning point, however, more vital or pivotal than Hank’s death, a moment that proves why this is the best crime show that gets darker every episode. Hank’s final words exchanged with Walt are both a poignant way to bid farewell to his brother-in-law, as well as a perfect final summary of the contrasts between these two characters. —Diego Pineda Pacheco

12

“If you don’t know who I am… then maybe your best course… would be to tread lightly.”

Walter White – Season 5, Episode 9 (2013)

Image via AMC

It’s only for a few episodes that we get to see Walt and Hank interacting as true enemies, but the moments that we do get of their interactions are far and away among the show’s most potent scenes. Case in point: the scene in “Blood Money” where Walt walks into Hank’s garage, leading to a physical altercation and Heisenberg giving his brother-in-law an ultimatum.

Breaking Bad is one of the best thriller shows where nobody can be trusted, and there was no way for Hank to find that out more impactful than Walter indirectly threatening his life. It’s the indirect nature of the threat, and the chillingly emotional way in which Bryan Cranston delivers the line, that makes it one of Breaking Bad‘s most jaw-dropping bits of dialogue. — Diego Pineda Pacheco

11

“I’m in the empire business.”

Walter White – Season 5, Episode 6 (2012)

Image via AMC

Perhaps the perfect snapshot audiences get into Walter White’s vindictive personality, his “I’m in the empire business” quote showed how selfish he really was. With Jesse (Aaron Paul) and Mike (Jonathan Banks) eager to sell the stolen methylamine, Jesse must confront Walter to tell him the buyer will only make the deal if Walter’s share — worth $5 million — is included.

Jesse highlights how Walter’s goal was always to make money fast, and that $5 million was far more than he ever hoped to make, but Walter refuses. Monologuing about his past life, Walter hints at his envious disdain for his past associates at Gray Matter and all but announces that his meth operation has become about much more than money.

10

“No more half-measures, Walter.”

Mike Ehrmantraut – Season 3, Episode 12 (2010)

Image via AMC

As a no-nonsense enforcer for Gustavo Fring and later Walter White, Mike Ehrmantraut was often a surprising voice of reason. With Walter facing a difficult crossroads, Mike sheds some insight from his past life as a police officer.

His story details a repeat domestic abuser whom Mike tried to scare straight, only for his conservative warning to fall on deaf ears as the thug beat his girlfriend to death two weeks later. The closing of his monologue, simply stating “no more half-measures, Walter”, emphasizes Mike’s cynical worldview, but also highlights that going easy on people isn’t an option in their world.

9

“I watched Jane die.”

Walter White – Season 5, Episode 14 (2013)

Image via AMC

Breaking Bad was always a series that had its comedic elements, many of which came from the unlikely though lovable partnership between Walter and his former student Jesse. A major thread in the show’s final season, though, was how that relationship soured, with Jesse’s intent to bring Walter down leading to a spiteful feud between the two.

Walter’s sickeningly cold-blooded confession to Jesse about how he watched his girlfriend overdose and did nothing to prevent it proved to be the absolute final straw in the two going from colleagues to bitter enemies. It also gave audiences an emphatic reminder that Walter White, despite starting the show as a likable though flawed character, had become a cruel and evil villain.

8

“This is my own private domicile, and I will not be harassed… b***h.”

Jesse Pinkman – Season 3, Episode 6 (2010)

Image via AMC

In a series full of power-hungry, cut-throat criminals, Jesse was often something of a lovable relief. A surprisingly good-natured meth-cooking drug dealer, Pinkman was often defined by his kind demeanor, which hid beneath his crude presentation; however, Aaron Paul’s performance will be forever remembered for his truly iconic use of the word “b***h”.

A highlight of his foul-mouthed hilarity came when Hank was trying to break into the RV while Jesse and Walter hid inside. Walter tells Jesse what to say to prevent Hank from barging in on them. Jesse added his own inflection to the famous line, with his hesitant “b*tch” the perfect exclamation point.

7

“A man provides.”

Gustavo Fring – Season 3, Episode 5 (2010)

Image via AMC

With Giancarlo Esposito’s magnetic presence, Gustavo Fring quickly became a fan favorite even as one of Breaking Bad‘s most imposing villains. A significant reason for that came from the way in which he spoke, with his calm, calculating demeanor almost always on display, but rarely more compelling than when he tried to convince Walter to work in his lab.

With Walter having his own doubts linked to family issues, Gus taps into his core motivations with his dialogue about how a man must provide for his family even when he isn’t appreciated. It proves to be an effective speech too, as Walter agrees to work for Gus later in the episode.

6

“Just because you shot Jesse James, don’t make you Jesse James.”

Mike Ehrmantraut – Season 5, Episode 3 (2012)

Image via AMC

The latter seasons of Breaking Bad saw Walter develop a knack for letting his ego get away from him, something few characters were able to sort out as succinctly as Mike. With a deal done, Walt, Mike, and Jesse are sorting out payment, and Walter states his disapproval of the allotment shared.

Commenting on how it is less money than they got when they worked for Gus, Mike, with his flawless, deadpan expression, uses his Jesse James analogy to give Walter the lay of the land. The blunt yet pointed remark alone was enough to tell Walter – and audiences – that any plans he may have had of taking over Fring’s empire would not yield success.