By Chris Snellgrove
| Published 31 seconds ago

Starfleet Academy had a satisfying Season 1 finale, but as I watched, I kept asking myself a blunt question: “why do I like this so much?” Sure, the episode was free of many things I hated from earlier stories, including the vulgar slang and potty humor of earlier episodes. It also focused on drama and characterization instead of terrible comedy, which is a major improvement over the first half of the season. Still, I couldn’t shake the feeling that something else made this episode infinitely better than most of what had come before.

That’s when it hit me: it was the characters. Or, more precisely, the lack of characters: thanks to the season finale’s premise, several characters are left out of the episode altogether, and other characters who appear are sidelined in favor of focusing on a few key storylines. The result was that this episode (“Rubincon”) is a shining example of what this new Star Trek series is capable of. But it’s also proof of a simple fact: Starfleet Academy has way too many characters, and it needs to let some of them go in order to become a successful show.

A Seriously Crowded Cast

Starfleet Academy has, to put it mildly, a huge cast of characters. There are 11 main characters who are prominently featured in almost every episode. For comparison, Star Trek: The Next Generation started with nine main characters, but this included Tasha Yar, who died midway through Season 1. It also includes Wil Wheaton, who left after Season 4. This means that for just a little under half of its iconic run, TNG sported only seven main characters, which made it easy for episodes to focus on the entire cast.

In case you’re wondering, Star Trek: The Original Series had only eight main characters. Deep Space Nine had nine main characters, and that’s counting Worf, who joined in Season 4. Voyager also held steady at nine main characters, eventually substituting Kes for Seven of Nine. At 11 main characters, Starfleet Academy is obviously overcrowded by the standards of the franchise, and its limited number of episodes per season keeps us from getting to know everyone.

Time Is The Fire In Which We All Stream

Star Trek: Discovery began what would become a fairly depressing trend with NuTrek shows: a limited number of episodes per season. While the so-called Golden Age of Star Trek had 26 episodes per season, shows like Starfleet Academy only get 10 episodes per season. That means that even if SFA gets four full seasons (a goal that seems increasingly difficult to meet), it will end with fewer episodes than Voyager got in only two seasons!

That’s important because, each season, Starfleet Academy only gets 10 episodes to develop its 11 main characters. There’s just not enough time to do so, and some characters really get the short end of the stick. For example, Genesis is the only cadet who doesn’t get a solo episode devoted to her; the closest thing she gets is a side story with Caleb, where we learn that her dark secret is that her previous instructors thought she would never be a good captain. 

The Season 1 finale puts her in the captain’s chair, but she inexplicably doesn’t get to do anything notable while she’s in command except announce that she has to pee. Unfortunately, this lack of resolving her story highlights a big problem with Genesis: because she’s also a highly driven, Type A overachiever, she is often written as “Darem with boobs.” But Darem got his own episode, a romantic subplot, and a special effects-heavy sequence where he saved the ship; comparatively, Genesis got absolutely nothing, making her character feel weirdly redundant.

Main Character Syndrome

Given the limited number of episodes and the outsized number of lead actors, it’s also bizarre how much screen time Starfleet Academy devotes to supporting characters. We got entire episodes focused on stories with the War College and its frosty chancellor, only for them to all disappear from the narrative in the last two episodes. We also get a lot of screentime dedicated to weird comic relief characters, including Tarima’s beta brother and that one cadet who swallowed her comm badge. 

Compounding this is the fact that Caleb Mir is undeniably the main character of Starfleet Academy’s first season. This isn’t inherently a bad thing: Caleb has proven to be a very compelling character, and actor Sandro Rosta has the charisma and magnetic screen presence of a leading man. But every moment spent developing Caleb is a moment not spent developing anyone else. This is to the show’s detriment, but the Caleb focus of season finale “Rubicon” revealed the easiest way to improve Starfleet Academy: namely, Paramount needs to thin this cast out!

Less Is More

The Starfleet Academy Season 1 finale, “Rubincon,” had a reduced number of characters for a simple reason: the previous episode had most of the minor and some of the major characters stuck inside Federation space when supervillain Nus Braka trapped everyone there with futuristic mines. Lura Thok (the half-Klingon, half-Jem’hadar) was trapped back home, as was Admiral Vance. Similarly, Chancellor Kelrec and the rest of his War College brute squad were stuck inside Fed space.

This left us with a streamlined crew of cadets, and the show wasn’t afraid to sideline a few of them, too: as mentioned before, poor Genesis doesn’t get to do much more than look pretty and sit in the captain’s chair. Darem, meanwhile, gets to do even less. But as a result, everyone else gets to shine: Chancellor Ake gets to dramatically defend Federation honor during a show trial, the Doctor saves the ship, and Kraag saves the Doctor. Caleb gets to save his biological mother and his surrogate mother, all while cementing his relationship with Tarima, who uses their newfound bond to help locate the bad guys and ultimately save the day.

That was all it took for Starfleet Academy to shine: by giving fewer characters the spotlight, it made it easier to develop everyone else while delivering a tight and compelling episode of Star Trek. This new spinoff has already shot its second season, and superfans are crossing their fingers that this won’t be the last voyage for these plucky cadets. But for this futuristic show to survive, it will need to take a cue from the past. Namely, ditching some of these main characters, occasionally sidelining others, and doing what The Next Generation always did so well: focusing on just one or two characters per episode, ultimately giving everyone a chance to shine.

In recent years, there have been several movies about the origins of popular American products. Apple released a film about Beanie Babies a few years ago, which means that we can probably expect a film about Labubus soon. Hulu released a movie about Cheetos, titled Flamin’ Hot, while Jerry Seinfeld directed an absurdist comedy about Pop-Tarts for Netflix, titled Unfrosted. This year, John Cena will star in The Matchbox Movie, which was probably green-lit because of the culture-defining success of Greta Gerwig‘s Barbie. This trend began a decade ago, with a movie that traced the origins of McDonald’s. Unlike Barbie, which positioned itself as a feminist fable, or even Flamin’ Hot, which highlighted the contributions of the immigrant population, the McDonald’s movie had fewer layers than a Big Mac. It was, quite literally, about how an ambitious businessman took a mom-and-pop operation and turned it into a massive corporation. The ambitious businessman was, in fact, the protagonist of the story and not the villain.

The businessman was played by Michael Keaton, who had been freshly nominated for an Oscar for his performance in Birdman. The film also featured Nick Offerman and John Carroll Lynch as brothers Richard McDonald and Maurice McDonald, who created an assembly line of sorts that significantly reduced the time it took to cook burgers. Impressed by their operation, salesman Ray Kroc (Keaton) urged them to create franchises before buying them out some years later. The movie was directed by John Lee Hancock, who previously made the war film The Alamo, and has since directed the “copaganda” movie The Highwaymen and the Se7en rip-off The Little Things.

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Here’s the Pro-Capitalism Movie that Netflix Has Blocked for Capitalist Reasons

The movie in question is The Founder, which grossed $24 million worldwide against a reported budget of $25 million. It earned solid reviews and is now sitting at a “Certified Fresh” 80% score on the aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes. The website’s consensus reads, “The Founder puts Michael Keaton’s magnetic performance at the center of a smart, satisfying biopic that traces the rise of one of America’s most influential businessmen — and the birth of one of its most far-reaching industries.” The movie also featured B.J. Novak, Laura Dern, and Linda Cardellini. However, it is among the 140 titles that Netflix has restricted access to this month for subscribers to its ad-supported tier.

Stay tuned to Collider for more updates.

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Release Date

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December 16, 2016

Runtime

115 Minutes

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Director

John Lee Hancock

Writers

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Robert D. Siegel

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When the weather starts to warm up, you’ll find yourself starting to reach for your favorite laid-back dresses over and over again. Cool but classy, casual-chic dresses are wardrobe staples that make getting dressed and feeling put together a breeze. Just slip one on with a pair of crisp white sneakers, sandals, or your tried-and-true flats and you’re ready to walk out the door.

If your everyday dresses need a refresh, worry not. Amazon is packed with easy dresses that strike that “just right” balance of relaxed and refined. From flowy, flirty silhouettes to elevated neutral basics that can be dressed up or down, Amazon’s casual-chic styles make your everyday outfits feel totally effortless.

Casual-Chic Dresses on Amazon for Everyday Wear

1. Comfy Cotton: Made from 100% cotton, this button-down dress delivers a soft, feminine twist on the classic dress shirt style. The stripes add a subtle pop of color without overpowering your look.

2. T-Shirt Dress: Keep it simple with this classic T-shirt midi dress that comes in a dozen different colors. Small slits on both sides elevate this unfussy style.

3. Vacation Staple: If there’s one dress to pack for your next vacation, let it be this super cute empire waist striped, flowy dress. You can wear it to the beach, to brunch, or to dinner, just switch up your shoes to match the occasion.

4. Delicate Denim: Denim has a reputation for being tough and rugged, but this playful denim babydoll dress says otherwise. A neutral piece, the possibilities for styling this dress are truly endless.

5. Boho Sun Dress: This easy, relaxed boho-style dress can be worn as loungewear just as easily as it could be worn to a low-key wedding. Style it with sneakers or flats for running errands on a warm summer day, or throw on some strappy heels to head to a party or for a sophisticated affair.

6. Short Sleeve Shirt Dress: A great shirt dress is a closet staple, and this button-down style is one you can quickly throw on to look effortless chic. Plus, it doubles as a swimsuit cover-up.

7. High Neckline Hero: A high neckline can instantly make a dress feel regal and elegant, a perfect example of which is this sleeveless tie-waist midi dress. It looks so much more expensive than it is, and it’s surprisingly soft and comfy.

8. Flattering Florals: Spring and summer are synonymous with floral prints, and this sleeveless maxi dress has so many stunning options. It honestly might be hard to choose just one.

9. Classic A-Line: A simple A-line silhouette is universally flattering, and this lightweight, breezy dress is one you’ll practically want to live in. Style it with sneakers for a casual look, flip-flops to look chic on your beach day, or dressy sandals for an early dinner.

10. Beachy Tunic: If an easy, beachy style suits your mood, this tunic dress fits the bill. It’s artsy and bohemian, while still feeling totally polished and put-together.

11. Polo Perfection: Preppy style is most definitely back, and this V-neck polo dress is an updated take on the timeless Americana style. Pair it with simple sandals or sneakers and let the color combination and wide collar do the talking.

12. Rich Mom Vibes: Rich mom style takes on warm weather in this ribbed knit button-down sweater dress that is the epitome of casual-chic. No matter where you’re headed throughout your day, this dress ensures you’re the best-dressed in the room.

13. Gimme Gingham: Gingham never goes out of style, and neither does this loose, cotton midi dress. It comes in so many colors, and the best part is that it has pockets!

14. Wrap Dress: Accentuate your natural curves with this lightweight, flirty wrap dress. It comes in dozens of colors and patterns, and it’s effortlessly chic and super flattering.

15. Spaghetti Straps: With its smocked bodice and simple silhouette, this spaghetti strap sundress is as comfortable and flattering as it is effortlessly elevated. Choose from a wide range of solids and prints to find your favorite go-to day dress.

16. Retro Sleeves: Borrowing inspiration from groovy 70s style, this long-sleeve babydoll dress is super cute and can be dressed up or down with the right bag and pair of shoes. Style it for a casual coffee date or a beachfront wedding and every occasion in between.

17. Sleek & Sleeveless: This minimalist dress makes getting ready feel effortless thanks to its relaxed fit and easy, throw-on-and-go design. The wrinkle-resistant fabric keeps it looking polished all day long, making it a fun, low-maintenance pick you’ll reach for every time it’s freshly washed.

18. Sunshine Seeker: Once the weather reaches peak summer warmth, this is the sun dress you’ll wear on repeat. Slip it on for sunny strolls or outdoor cookouts — just add sandals and you’re good to go.

19. Cozy Tie-Waist: This sophisticated tie-waist style is fun, flirty, and easy to wear. It’s the kind of piece that you can toss on with sneakers for daytime plans or sandals for a slightly dressier warm-weather look.

20. Golf-Inspired: The best part about golf is the opportunity to play with chic, preppy style, like this ruffle hem polo dress. After all, who says you have to carry your clubs to sport a look straight off the course?

21. Simple Slip: This minimalist slip dress is a blank canvas for summer style. Pair it with your favorite cardigan or denim jacket on chilly nights, or a power blazer before heading to work. This one dress does it all.

Whew! NLE Choppa is catching major heat online after a video of him explaining why he doesn’t wear a seatbelt while driving went viral. The 23-year-old rapper’s reasoning has fans divided, and social media is not holding back.

Related: All Good? NLE Choppa Sparks Mixed Reactions After Apologizing To Chrisean Rock For His Disheartening Words About Chrisean Jr. (WATCH)

Here’s Why NLE Choppa Says He Skips The Seatbelt

On Thursday, a clip of NLE Choppa driving and discussing seatbelt safety went viral on X. In the video, he explained that he only puts one on when he’s riding with someone whose driving he doesn’t trust.

“If you ever catch someone wearing a seatbelt, nine times out of ten they never been in no sh**,” he says.

Choppa adds that he feels seatbelts restrict him from getting out of the vehicle quickly in case of danger. His explanation sparked immediate debate online, with many viewers questioning both the safety and logic of his choice.

Watch the clip below:

Social Media Reacts

Fans and critics flooded Instagram with their reactions, with some commenters offering safety advice:

Instagram user @dominquechinn wrote, “It’s for safety, and to avoid a ticket. Keep the seatbelt on people. Some people you just shouldn’t listen to. 🥴”

Another Instagram user @mr.bangyahead wrote, “Don’t want to say it but this ain’t going to age well”

While Instagram user @latrell.tremayne wrote, “Imagine thinking that seatbelt only saves you from the person driving the car….”

Instagram user @quan.bby wrote, “But he said YB is bad for the kids? 🤦🏽‍♀️”

Another Instagram user @dre2ya wrote, “What’s the first rule of the road?”

While Instagram user @akashaa_cos wrote, “Work in the trauma bay for one day, you’ll love seat belts”

Instagram user @kingggpin wrote, “Talkin about you need to bounce out & move 😂. The whip gonna bounce you out the window if the impact from a crash too crazy.”

Another Instagram user @justmoe2.0_ wrote, “I’m just happy he got his hair back 😭”

While Instagram user @suitelifeofidk wrote, “Yall cars don’t be beeping?”

NLE Choppa Appears To Walk Back Seatbelt Comments

After the backlash, it seems NLE Choppa may have reconsidered. The rapper reposted the clip via Say Cheese, with a comment directed at himself. He wrote,

“This n*gga ain’t talking about sh**. Where (sp) the seat belt p !!”

While Choppa didn’t fully clarify if he’ll start buckling, he appears to take accountability following backlash.

Related: Whew! Mother Of NLE Choppa’s Daughter Drops Receipts As He Denies Deadbeat Father Claims Following Alleged CPS Case

Looks like the rumor mill is working overtime after fans noticed a few familiar faces popping up in the same place at the same time. Desmond Scott and Dana Tran have the internet raising eyebrows after recent social media posts hinted they might be spending a little time together. A report is also alleging that the pair are dating. And you already know social media detectives have wasted no time putting two and two together.

RELATED: Healing Era? Desmond Scott Shows Off Life After Divorce & Fans Want The Recipe (VIDEOS)

Did Desmond And Dana Link Up?

As reported by TMZ, Dana and Desmond have been casually seeing each other and hanging out in recent weeks. The timing allegedly comes after Desmond’s estranged wife, Kristy Scott, filed for divorce back in December. While insiders say the situation isn’t super serious right now, the two have reportedly been getting to know each other and spending time together behind the scenes.

Fans started putting the pieces together after both appeared to share posts from the same outing — the Houston Rodeo. Though neither posted photos together, on Friday, March 13, Desmond shared a clip showing off his cowboy-inspired outfit, while that same night, Dana posted a shot of the “Welcome to the Rodeo” sign, instantly sending social media into detective mode. For now, sources say the connection is still new — but clearly people are already watching closely.

Watch the clip Desmond shared here.

Watch the clip Dana Tran shared here.

The Internet Is Feeling Desmond Scott

Folks wasted no time running straight to Desmond Scott’s Houston Rodeo post and lighting up the Instagram comment section. While no one seemed to mention Dana Tran directly, that didn’t stop people from shooting their shot and hyping him up in the replies. Others kept it simple, calling him a “fine” man and pointing out that he’s clearly been out here living his best life lately. 

One Instagram user @stephyinez_ commented, “That’s one fineeeee cowboy 🤠”

This Instagram user @oss._26 added, “I take it single life glow is the best. This man has been showing out 🔥”

And, Instagram user @thisboutbusiness said, “Ok then looking like homemade garlic butter 🔥❤️😂”

Meanwhile, Instagram user @curated_byam wrote, “I knew I should have went to Houston“

While Instagram user @dr.jhen_ said, “If living your best life was a person 🔥”

Lastly, Instagram user @thehfamily._ shared, “Houston’s most eligible bachelor 🤠”

His Healing Era Continues

And if you’ve been keeping up, then you already know — we told y’all he was in his healing era. Desmond Scott recently dropped a photo dump that had folks talking, showing him all smiles while seemingly enjoying a peaceful getaway. Captioning the post “good food and moving slow,” Desmond gave followers a glimpse of palm trees, hillside homes, blooming flowers, and stunning beach sunsets as he soaked in the scenery. From laid-back strolls to scenic dining moments, it’s clear he’s been embracing the calm and living his best life while taking things one slow moment at a time.

RELATED: Who’s Laughing Now? Fans Show Love After Desmond Scott Seemingly Lets His “Real Personality” Shine In New Content (WATCH)