With just days to go before its theatrical release, the review embargo for Evil Dead Burn has officially lifted and while not every critic is completely sold, the latest chapter in the legendary horror franchise is already earning praise for delivering exactly what longtime fans have been craving: relentless gore, inventive kills, and an unapologetically brutal return to Deadite terror.

Directed by Sébastien Vaniček, the filmmaker behind the acclaimed horror thriller Infested, Evil Dead Burn follows a grieving widow who seeks comfort with her late husband’s family, only to find herself trapped in a nightmare as demonic forces begin possessing those around her. The film stars Souheila Yacoub, Hunter Doohan, Luciane Buchanan, and Tandi Wright, while franchise creators Sam Raimi and Robert Tapert return as producers.

Many of the first reviews have praised Vaniček’s fresh vision for the franchise, with critics highlighting the film’s intense practical effects, creative set pieces, and emotionally grounded story. Several reviewers have even suggested Evil Dead Burn may be the most violent installment the series has ever produced.

Evil Dead Burn [credit: Warner Bros.]

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Not every review has been glowing, however. While some critics applauded the film’s willingness to push the boundaries of horror, others argued that its relentless brutality occasionally comes at the expense of the dark humor and charm that helped define earlier entries in the franchise.

One of the film’s stars, Hunter Doohan, recently spoke about the demanding production, revealing that some of the movie’s elaborate action and horror sequences required days of filming and extensive rehearsals.

“How the f— are we going to do this?”

Doohan recalled thinking while preparing for one of the film’s most ambitious set pieces.

Doohan also revealed that he watched every previous Evil Dead film before production began to fully immerse himself in the franchise’s mythology, saying the experience turned him into an even bigger fan.

Ahead of production, Vaniček also shared that Bruce Campbell had one major request for the new installment: respect what made Evil Dead special while still bringing something new to the table. According to the director, Campbell encouraged him to stay true to the franchise’s DNA without simply recreating what had come before.

Whether Evil Dead Burn ultimately ranks among the franchise’s very best remains to be seen, but the early consensus suggests horror fans are in for one of the year’s most intense theatrical experiences. With praise for its practical effects, gruesome kills, and uncompromising vision, the latest chapter appears ready to continue the franchise’s reputation as one of horror’s bloodiest and most enduring series when it opens in theaters on July 10.

Rumors surrounding the DC Universe’s next Batman have exploded across social media, with multiple insiders claiming that Tom Brittney has been cast as the Dark Knight for DC Studios’ upcoming The Brave and the Bold.

While nothing has been officially confirmed by James Gunn, the speculation gained momentum after well-known scooper MyTimeToShineHello simply posted, “It’s true, it’s Tom,” leading fans to connect the dots to Brittney. Several entertainment outlets have since echoed the rumor, although none have been able to verify it through DC Studios.

For fans unfamiliar with Brittney, the English actor is best known for his starring role in Grantchester. He was also reportedly one of the finalists to play Superman before David Corenswet ultimately landed the role, making him someone already familiar to DC Studios during the casting process.

Interestingly, James Gunn previously praised Brittney’s acting ability after seeing fan artwork imagining him as Batman, calling him “a great actor.” While that comment fueled fan speculation, Gunn has repeatedly stated that DC Studios will not officially cast Batman until the script for The Brave and the Bold is where they want it to be.

At this point, it’s important to stress that this remains nothing more than a rumor. DC Studios has not announced its Batman, and neither Gunn nor co-head Peter Safran has confirmed Brittney’s involvement in the DCU.

Still, if the reports prove accurate, Brittney would become the first actor to portray the DCU’s version of Bruce Wayne, separate from Robert Pattinson’s Batman, who continues to headline Matt Reeves’ standalone Elseworlds franchise.

Until an official announcement arrives, fans should treat the reports with caution. However, the growing buzz has certainly made Tom Brittney one of the most talked-about names in the race to wear the cape and cowl.

The years-long legal saga between Justin Baldoni and Blake Lively stemming from their 2024 movie, “It Ends With Us,” mostly concluded in early May 2026, with her remaining claims against him being settled. Now, several weeks later, the filmmaker and his wife, Emily Baldoni, have broken their silence, calling the ordeal an injustice.

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The Baldonis took to Instagram on July 8 to post a joint video. The two can be seen sitting outside, seemingly on a porch or patio, as they address the Lively lawsuit, in which he countersued for $400 million before his claims were dismissed in July 2025.

The “It Ends With Us” director began by saying, “So, we have not spoken publicly for the better part of the last two years, and it’s not because we haven’t had anything to say, because lord knows we have.”

He went on to say that he and Emily had attempted to make videos in the past to address the situation, but “it just didn’t feel like the right time.”

She then said, “And this feels like the moment.” From there, Emily stated that they feel “immense gratitude” for “so many things and so many people and so many things that have happened to us.” According to Justin, “Gratitude has saved us.”

The Couple Called The Lawsuit An ‘Injustice’

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Emily continued their shared statement by saying that the gratitude does not “negate the injustice and the pain that we have also felt in the last few years.” She went on to discuss how the lawsuit has impacted their lives, saying they’ve been forced to “wrestle with so many things.”

From there, she shared that they questioned, “How could something like this even happen?” Adding, “Let alone disguised as a fight for women.” After that, Emily stated that she and her family have “a lot of trauma” as a result of the years-long legal fight.

Justin chimed in, saying, “We don’t even know if this is the right thing to say. We just know we need to share something. What I will say is that there have been so many painful things that have been spoken into existence over the last couple of years. That created so much noise, and we didn’t want to add to the noise. So we just wanted to let the justice system run its course.”

Emily went on to note that “the truth and the facts have spoken for themselves,” alluding to the settlement, which his legal team considered a victory. Regarding an update, the couple stated that they are “healing.”

They also shared that they have learned that it’s their family, friends, and faith that matter after questioning “what’s real.” Justin added that they were “more steadfast” in their faith.

The Couple Thanked People Who Stood By Them

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Toward the end of the video, Justin and Emily addressed those from the public who supported them throughout the legal ordeal. According to him, “there were so many of you who, when we didn’t have a voice, were our voice.”

He then said that Emily “had a prayer in the very beginning”: she hoped that “people would have discernment.” Justin continued, “And so many of you had discernment, and you used your intuition, and you trusted that.”

The filmmaker also noted that people had “given their time to fight for us,” saying, “and ‘thank you’ does not feel like enough.”

Closer to the end, Emily remarked, “And there’s so much more to say and that time will come.”

Blake Lively’s Final Claims Were Settled Ahead Of The Planned Trial

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The much-talked-about trial between Baldoni and Lively was set to begin on May 18 in New York after being delayed from March. However, instead of going to court, they reached a settlement earlier in the month.

Notably, the judge in the case had previously dismissed 10 out of 13 of Lively’s civil claims related to the alleged sexual harassment on the set of “It Ends With Us.” Per Variety, only three claims remained: retaliation, aiding and abetting retaliation, and breach of contract.

Blake And Justin Released A Joint Statement

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Following the settlement of the lawsuit, Baldoni and Lively issued a prepared statement. They said, “The end product – the movie ‘It Ends With Us’ – is a source of pride to all of us who worked to bring it to life. Raising awareness, and making a meaningful impact in the lives of domestic violence survivors – and all survivors – is a goal that we stand behind.”

It continued, “We acknowledge the process presented challenges and recognize concerns raised by Ms. Lively deserved to be heard. We remain firmly committed to workplaces free of improprieties and unproductive environments.”

After that, their joint statement called for all involved parties to “move forward constructively and in peace.” However, since then, Lively has requested $8 million from Baldoni for legal fees.

By Jonathan Klotz
| Published 35 seconds ago

Vancouver has been the Hollywood of Canada for decades. Supernatural, Smallville, The 100, Continuum, Travellers, the list of shows that film around the city are too many to mention, but it also includes the legendary Stargate SG-1. For a decade, the series filmed out of Vancouver, which is why every alien planet on the other side of the Stargate looks like, well, Vancouver. Since they filmed in Canada, most of the cast and crew were also major hockey fans, to the point where they started their own team and would take on other productions in friendly games. 

Stargate SG-1 Took On All Comers

Canadian Michael Shanks was the ringleader for the Stargate team. At one time, Shanks thought about going pro. Instead he spent a decade playing Dr. Daniel Jackson by day, and slamming Smallville’s Lex Luthor, Michael Rosenbaum, into the boards by night. Through different interviews and DVD featurettes, Shanks and crew has said they’d play not only Smallville, but also Millenium, The Twilight Zone, and even The Chris Isaak Show. If you forgot that the man who sang “Wicked Game” starred in a sitcom on Showtime for three seasons…so did everyone else. Amazingly, it was pretty good for the time too. 

Richard Dean Anderson was also part of Team Stargate. He’s American, but from Minnesota, which means like Shanks he was required by law to be a fan of hockey growing up. In the episode “Fire and Water” when Jack O’Neill is taking a hockey stick to General Hammond’s windshield, you can even see where the stick says “Anderson” towards the top. Fans today would love to have been there in the stands to see Shanks, Anderson, and Dan Shea, who played Sgt. Sylvester Siler for all 10 seasons and parts of Atlantis. Take on the other productions. 

Having Fun With the Cast’s Hobbies

Even though it’s been 33 years since a Canadian team has won the Stanley Cup (oddly, the same year that Gary Bettman became NHL Commissioner), it’s the national sport of Canada. It’s odd when a Canadian production doesn’t have a hockey team. 

In “The Other Guys” O’Neill brings up hockey to Teal’c, saying they went to a game last year, and Teal’c says he thinks the Vancouver Canucks are going to win the Stanley Cup. Instead of hockey, Christopher Judge would join Richard Dean Anderson on the golf course on a regular basis, which is why when Teal’c and O’Neill are stuck in a time loop in “Window of Opportunity” they hit golf balls through the Stargate. That’s their own clubs and balls being used dangerously close to a $100,000 prop.

Stargate SG-1 never worked very hard to cover the obviously Canadian influences behind the production, even making a metajoke about it in “Wormhole X-Treme.” It was one of the most successful, and longest-running, sci-fi productions to come out of Vancouver which is still heavily used to this day. There’s no word on if the Toronto-based Killjoys and The Expanse had their own hockey teams, but it’s still Canada, so odds are they were hitting the ice in between runs to Tim Hortons listening to Bryan Adams and watching Trailer Park Boys.

Karmelo Anthony‘s lawyers filed a motion requesting a new trial. Furthermore, the attorneys are asking for the removal of Judge John Roach, who presided over the last trial. According to NBC 5 News, Anthony’s new legal team wants Roach removed over “problematic comments” he made during an interview following the proceedings.

RELATED: Karmelo Anthony’s Grandmother Chants “Racist” & “Biased” Following His Prison Sentence As His Mother Continues To Demand Justice (VIDEOS)

Karmelo Anthony’s Lawyers Request New Trial

As reported by The Shade Room, 19-year-old Karmelo Anthony was convicted by an all-white jury for the fatal stabbing of 17-year-old Austin Metcalf. Karmelo was then sentenced to 35 years in prison on June 9. His new legal team is requesting a new trial, and they filed a motion arguing that Karmelo’s constitutional rights were violated during the proceedings. The 63-page document states that the teens’ constitutional rights were violated by the exclusion of the public from parts of the trial. The filing also states that the jury received improper instructions and claimed the prosecutors reneged on an agreement regarding Karmelo deciding not to testify on his own behalf.

During a track meet in Frisco, Texas, on April 2, 2025, a then-17-year-old Karmelo reportedly sought refuge from the rain under the competition’s tent. Austin reportedly told him to leave several times, and the two argued. Austin, who was 6 feet tall and weighed approximately 200 pounds, reportedly shoved Karmelo, who is 5″11′ and approximately 162 pounds. According to Newsweek, Karmelo warned Austin not to touch him multiple times before stabbing him with a utility tool. The teenager pleaded self-defense. His lengthy sentence by an all-white jury raised questions about race, and his legal team wants a new trial.

What Did The Judge Say Post-Trial?

Judge Roach gave an interview after the trial, and his comments resulted in Anthony’s legal team filing for his removal. During an interview with WFAA News, Roach was asked if the jury reached the correct verdict. The jury deliberated for less than two hours.

“Yes they did,” replied Roach. “Because they were picked based upon the law, they listened to the facts, it happened in this courtroom, and they got a verdict.”

When asked about his decision not to allow cameras in the courtroom, the judge defended his choice.

“Yes, it was an easy decision,” he said. “I’ll tell you why, my primary goal in every case is to make sure the defendant and the prosecution get a fair trial. Period. I know I made people mad but I’m not here to make them happy either.”

Texas NAACP President Is Representing Karmelo

According to the New York Post, Karmelo’s new legal team includes the president of the Texas NAACP, Gary Bledsoe. The team also includes civil rights lawyer Brooke Cluse and appellate attorney Russell Wilson. They are representing their client pro bono. Cluse is an attorney with the prestigious law firm Ben Crump Law. The trio of attorneys teamed up in June following Karmelo’s sentencing. Their goal is to overturn both his conviction and prison sentence.

RELATED: Newly Released Body Cam Footage Shows Karmelo Anthony’s Arrest After Fatal Stabbing Of Austin Metcalf (VIDEOS)

Chancery Judge Ashlee Cole, the mom of Warren Hudson, a teen who was on Horn Island with Nolan Xavier Wells, has spoken out as attorney Benjamin Crump alleges that the 18-year-old was involved in an “argument” before his death.

RELATED: Family Of Nolan Xavier Wells Retains Civil Rights Attorney Ben Crump As Investigation Into His Death Continues (UPDATE)

Mom Of Teen Who Was On Horn Island With Nolan Xavier Wells Speaks Out

On the evening of Tuesday, Judge Ashley Cole took to Facebook to share a lengthy message with the public. Initially, Cole explained that her family is grieving the loss of Wells. However, she wanted to “dispel some rumors” which are “divert[ing]” attention “away from the Wells family and their loss.”

Cole acknowledged that she deactivated her social media due to the “heightened emotional state” online. Additionally, she stated that she fears “for the safety” of her and her husband’s six children. Specifically, Cole referenced photos of her children allegedly being circulated on social media.

From there, Cole noted that she attended high school with Wells’ mom, Christine Wonsley.

“We are from the same community. I have the utmost respect for her and all of the Wells family. We mourn the loss of Nolan with them. Our prayers have been and will continue to be with them,” she wrote.

Cole noted that she and her husband were not on Horn Island on July 4. Additionally, she explained that her family does not want to interfere with the ongoing investigation.

“Warren was interviewed by the Jackson County Sheriff’s Department and cooperated fully. He saw Nolan last at around 3 pm on July 4th. They left around 4:30 pm when the boat was taking on water and they had an issue with the bilge pump. Nolan made a decision to stay on the island and return inland later with another group of friends,” she wrote.

As she concluded her message, Cole acknowledged her position as a judge. And the importance of transparency.”

“I apologize if anyone was offended that I deleted my social media. There were no nefarious motivations in my deleting my social media. Social media has a lot of positives, but a whole lot of negatives. We live in a world of click-baiting. Sad, but true. My family is hopeful that this information will help to redirect the attention to the Wells family, their grief, and their need for our community’s support,” she concluded.

Attorney Ben Crump Alleges 18-Year-Old Was Involved In “Argument”

According to Atlanta Black Star, Benjamin Crump, the attorney for Nolan Xavier Wells’ family, sat down with Don Lemon. This, to speak about the case. During the interview, Crump noted that Wells was gearing up for an important tryout, set to take place on Monday, July 6. Additionally, he believes the teen was involved in an “argument” with his friends because he did not want certain “substances” to show up on his body.

Furthermore, Crump noted that the family is conducting their own independent autopsy. And he believes the results will be made available on Friday, July 10.

“They’re saying it was an unfortunate accident. They’re not telling the family anything about whether it was foul play or not. So that’s why the family is so desperate for answers,” Crump explained to Lemon.

In addition, Crump noted that the family believes messages “were deleted” from Wells’ cellphone.

“So they want to try to dot every i and cross every t and investigate everything. They said it’s very improbable that Nolan wouldn’t have wanted his cell phone with him if he was going to stay on the island,” Crump recalled.

Ultimately, Crump noted there being many “inconsistencies” surrounding “what really happened” to the 18-year-old, who his family believes was an “extraordinary athlete” and strong swimmer.

More On The Discovery Of The Body Of Nolan Xavier Wells On Horn Island & Attorney Ben Crump Joining The Case

As The Shade Room previously reported, Nolan Xavier Wells was reported missing by his mother after he did not return home on the evening of July 4. Wells has reportedly traveled with friends to Horn Island. Then, on Monday, July 6, his body was found on the north side of the land mass.

“… His father Elmore Wonsley, our family, friends and I are absolutely devastated. My heart is broken for our sweet son who was always willing to cheer and uplift others. Nolan was a special soul, God took his time creating our son. I ask that you all please give me and my family privacy as we grieve. Thank you all again,” Wonsley wrote on Facebook after the discovery.

Subsequently, the death and discovery of the 18-year-old sparked a widespread conversation about the safety of Black individuals in predominantly white crowds. Amid this, friends of his publicly reacted to his passing. This, as an autopsy was performed on his body on July 7.

At this time, the results of the autopsy remain pending. However, internet users have surfaced questionable footage reportedly taken on the island on July 4.

This, as the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office asks the public to come forward and share “original, unedited photos and videos” from the outing. This, to aid in their investigation into Wells’ death.

RELATED: Jackson County Sheriff’s Office Reportedly Shares Request For The Public As School Officials Release Statements Following Death Of Nolan Xavier Wells

Jack Antonoff has been spotted wearing his wedding ring amid rumors that he and wife Margaret Qualley have split.

Antonoff, 42, was seen on Wednesday, July 8, near his Brooklyn home while walking a dog with sister Rachel, per a photo obtained by TMZ.

In the image, Antonoff sported a New York Knicks championship T-shirt and held his phone in his hand. His gold wedding band was on full display.

Antonoff and Qualley, 31, sparked split rumors when he went to Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce’s Friday, July 3, wedding at New York City’s Madison Square Garden with his sister.

Related: Signs Margaret Qualley and Jack Antonoff Split After 3 Years of Marriage

Jack Antonoff and Margaret Qualley reportedly separated in July 2026 after three years of marriage. People reported on July 8, 2026, that Antonoff and Qualley had split, calling their dynamic “rocky” as they figured out their next steps. (Us Weekly reached out to both stars for comment at the time.) Antonoff and Qualley were first […]

Days later, TMZ reported that Qualley had quietly deleted wedding photos with Antonoff. It is unclear when she erased the images from her social media account.

People on Wednesday confirmed that Antonoff and Qualley had split after three years of marriage. A source shared with the outlet that the pair’s relationship is “rocky” as another insider explained that they are “figuring things out.”

Neither Antonoff nor Qualley have publicly commented on the speculation surrounding their relationship. Us Weekly reached out to Qualley and Antonoff’s reps for comment.

The pair were first romantically linked in 2021, sharing their engagement the following year. Antonoff and Qualley tied the knot in 2023 in New Jersey.

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Related: Margaret Qualley and Jack Antonoff’s Relationship Timeline

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“Someone told me that when you die and when you get married is the only time everyone you love is in a room,” Antonoff quipped on Late Night With Seth Meyers in December 2023, sharing that his wedding was “really beautiful.”

He continued, “And I was like, ‘Oh, that is just a thing someone says, and I perform for a living so I don’t mind if the attention is on me.’ And then as soon as it started, my whole body became wet.”

Years later, Vanity Fair claimed in a February 2026 cover story that Qualley appeared “reluctant” to discuss Antonoff.

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“I’ve always been very love-oriented,” she told the outlet at the time. “I’ve always been looking for my person, and I met Jack.”

At the time, Qualley also remained tight-lipped about whether she and Antonoff had plans to expand their family. “Yeah, for sure,” she said. “If I did [have names picked out], I wouldn’t talk about it.”

Antonoff and Qualley were last publicly seen together at the 2026 Grammy Awards, where he won three of his eight nominations. The duo were seen cuddling up backstage before watching the performances and awards presentations. “Fan girl,” Qualley later wrote via Instagram.

Only six months remain until Avengers: Doomsday enters theaters, bringing Marvel’s superhero team together to face their next big bad, Robert Downey Jr.’s Doctor Doom. In preparation for revisiting the Earth’s Mightiest Heroes on the big screen once more, fans have turned to where it all began, perhaps as a refresher before they see the now-massive ensemble change once again.

Avengers: Doomsday and Avengers: Secret Wars will be the next two MCU films in which Marvel’s superheroes will team up for the first time since Avengers: Endgame. While some characters have crossed paths in other films and TV shows, this upcoming MCU feature will have a massive cast list, featuring characters from the Infinity Saga and Phases 4, 5, and 6 of the MCU timeline, as well as pre-MCU appearances, with the X-Men making their return. So, it’s no surprise that fans have tuned in once more to the movie where it all began, where years of solo films have led into one giant feature.

The Avengers was a 2012 film and the sixth entry in the MCU, and it recently became a streaming hit in the U.S. The movie ranked #4 on Hulu’s Top 10 Movies in the United States, between Good Luck, Have Fun, Don’t Die and Ready or Not, and #7 on Hulu’s Top 10 Overall Charts in the U.S., between Disney Celebrates America and Ready or Not. Before Downey Jr. played the villain, he was a hero in this feature, cast as Iron Man, where he and the other Avengers — Chris Evans‘ Captain America, Mark Ruffalo‘s Incredible Hulk, Chris Hemsworth‘s Thor, Scarlett Johansson‘s Black Widow, and Jeremy Renner‘s Hawkeye assembled for the first time as they fought against Loki (Tom Hiddleston) and his army in New York. The Avengers has been highly praised since its release, earning 91% critic and audience scores on Rotten Tomatoes and generating over $1.5 billion at the box office.

Which Avengers Are Appearing in ‘Doomsday’?

Avengers: Doomsday announced its cast list in March 2025, revealing many names attached to the project. Some of these names are those who starred in the 2012 feature. Downey Jr. will be making his return, but as Doctor Doom, not Iron Man. Meanwhile, Evans will be reprising his role as Captain America, despite passing his shield down to Sam Wilson (Anthony Mackie) at the end of Avengers: Endgame. Additionally, Hemsworth and Hiddleston will be returning to the MCU in the upcoming feature; however, it’s still unknown how the two will reunite following Loki’s death in Avengers: Infinity War and the events of Loki Season 2, where he now resides alone at the End of Time. Unfortunately, both Johansson and Ruffalo have confirmed they will not be reprising their roles, and it’s currently uncertain whether Renner will return. The same goes for Samuel L. Jackson‘s Nick Fury, who was last seen in The Marvels.

The Avengers is available to stream on Hulu. Follow Collider for more updates.

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Release Date

May 4, 2012

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Runtime

143 minutes

Director

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Joss Whedon

Writers

Joss Whedon, Zak Penn

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Producers

Avi Arad, Chris Brigham, Jon Favreau, Kevin Feige, Louis D’Esposito, Victoria Alonso, Jeremy Latcham

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  Chris Evans

  Steve Rogers / Captain America

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  Robert Downey Jr.

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  Tony Stark / Iron Man

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By Chris Snellgrove
| Published 8 seconds ago

There are few characters in Star Trek quite as beloved as William T. Riker. On The Next Generation, he was basically Kirk 2.0: a brilliant, cocky Starfleet officer who was as friendly as he was flirty. It helps that he was played by Jonathan Frakes, one of the most charismatic actors in the entire franchise. Frakes eventually got behind the director’s chair, giving us the two best TNG movies and episodes from six different shows in the franchise. He’s practically the de facto brand ambassador for Star Trek, securing Riker’s popularity with fans all around the world.

However, would you believe there is one Star Trek spinoff that started by using Riker as a negative example? When Enterprise came out, it was designed as a prequel that took place about a century before Captain Kirk was exploring strange new worlds in The Original Series. Therefore, the crew of this show was far less seasoned, and they didn’t always handle problems with grace and dignity. Case in point: in “Unexpected,” Trip freaks out when visiting an alien vessel for the first time. It’s meant to show that he’s very little like Riker, but the episode ultimately validates his fears. After all, this is the episode where an alien babe gets him pregnant!

Subspace-ive And Breedable

“Unexpected” begins with a similar initial plot to many episodes of Star Trek: the Enterprise crew encounters aliens who need a little help. Specifically, they need help with their engines, and Captain Archer graciously volunteers the services of his chief engineer, Trip Tucker. Trip visits the alien vessel and, Kirk-style, ends up hitting it off with an alien babe. They don’t have physical sex, but due to a quirk of her biology, one of their interactions gets him pregnant. Fortunately, the Enterprise crew is able to successfully remove the implant, keeping the engineer from becoming the ship’s newest dilithium daddy.

It may sound like faint praise, but Executive Producer Brannon Braga (who was one of the key writers of Star Trek: The Next Generation) commended the writers for making Trip the opposite of William Riker in this episode. Regarding the plot point where Trip is excited to visit the alien vessel and then wants to leave because it’s so weird, he told Star Trek Communicator, “That’s the kind of stuff you would never see a Riker do, because they’re just too seasoned.”

At Least He Parties Like Riker

The comparison is apt, as there’s arguably nobody in Star Trek history who vibes with alien cultures like Riker. He certainly took enough of them to bed, including one woman who used him to deliver a mind-controlling game to the Enterprise. On another occasion, he fell in love with an andyngious gal, even though their romance was basically a crime. And let’s not forget the time he had to violate the Prime Directive by banging a hippie just to escape an undercover mission that went sideways.

Riker’s comfortable with aliens because, as a seasoned Starfleet officer, he doesn’t see them as any different than himself. Trip, however, is on his first deep space mission, encountering various aliens for the first time in his life. Instead of presenting him as instantly cool with everything, Enterprise chose the more realistic option of showing how alien culture freaked him out. To his credit, though, Trip rallies and works on his alien relations so much that he ends up pregnant. Fortunately, the actor was able to carry the heavy narrative weight of this episode. As Braga put it, “Connor [Trinneer] just brought more to Trip than we could’ve imagined.”

Can You Get Pregnant From Decon?

That was, of course, intentional on Trinneer’s part: realizing that this was the first Trip-focused episode, the actor decided to give it his all. He showed the producers how well he could perform the scripted material and how well he could improvise. Best of all, he showed them he was equally adept at both comedy and drama, and the actor credits this episode for helping everyone learn who his character really was. He put in the work, and it paid off, but maybe we shouldn’t be so surprised. After all, who’s going to put more “labor” into their performance than the actor playing the first pregnant man in Star Trek history?