The net is still in shambles amid the latest fallout between Joseline Hernandez and Lemuel Plummer, as fans continue trying to piece together what may be behind the drama. Following Joseline’s emotional post, she returned online with a video where she continued making accusations against Lemuel. In the video, Joseline alleged that Lemuel has been abusive toward women, mentioning his current girlfriend, Scotlynd Ryan, his ex Janeisha John and other women involved with Zeus Network. She also accused him of coming for her during her pregnancy and made additional claims regarding matters tied to his business. Since Joseline’s claims, Lemuel has stepped in to share his side of the story as Scotty and Janeisha shared statements of their own. 

RELATED:Lemuel Plummer Reacts After Joseline Hernandez Accuses Him Of Cutting Payments & Sabotaging Her Streaming Platform (PHOTOS + VIDEO)

Scotty Shuts Down Abuse Claims Involving Lemuel Plummer 

As mentioned, Scotty entered the conversation with a message of her own. Sharing a glimpse of her baby girl in the background photo, she shut down claims that Lemuel ever harmed her while emphasizing that she is focused on motherhood, healing postpartum, and being left out of the ongoing drama.

She wrote, “I want to address something because I’m truly tired of this false narrative being spread. A lie was told, and too many people chose to run with it. Let me be clear, Lemuel Plummer has never harmed me during my pregnancy or before. Domestic violence is a very serious matter, and many people truly suffer through it. I is somethipinkng I would never ever joke about or allow to be falsely put on my name. I’m currently navigating postpartum and everything that comes with it, and I would genuinely appreciate being left out of this situation. I am home focusing on healing and raising our daughter. Please stop spreading lies, stop involving me in harmful stories, and respect me enough to honor my truth. This is sad and unnecessary.”

Janeisha John Seemingly Responds To Joseline Hernandez’s Claims 

Amid all the drama, Janeisha John, who had previously dated Lemuel Plummer, took to her X account to address narratives about her life. Joseline previously alleged that Lemuel used to beat her up. John wrote, “I’m an extremely PRIVATE person and I don’t share my personal life with others. So anyone speaking on me or making claims about my life is NOT speaking from any real truth or direct conversation with me. Please don’t put narratives on my name.”

Lemuel Plummer Speaks Out In Statement Denying Multiple Allegations Following Joseline’s Video

Lemuel Plummer took to his platform with another statement following Joseline Hernandez’s latest video. In his response, the Zeus CEO firmly denied allegations involving abuse, trafficking, criminal ties, and violent wrongdoing. He also dismissed comparisons to Diddy. According to Lemuel, the accusations are being pushed by a small group of disgruntled former associates.

He wrote, “No, I have not abused or harmed Scotty or Janeisha. No, I do not have ties to any mob or religious group in Israel or anywhere else. My father is a Detroit pastor and Christian TV broadcaster… a Bishop in COGIC (Church of God in Christ), a historic Black church denomination under Bishop J. Drew Sheard’s leadership. COGIC has many jurisdictions, and my father works within that structure. No, I do not traffic girls.

No dead body was ever outside or near Zeus headquarters. No, neither I nor Zeus have ever been involved in murder, putting a hit on anyone, or homicide to any degree… ever. Do not believe those lies and theories. No, I’m not ‘Diddy Jr.’ I’m me.

And the narrative that ‘everyone’ is saying these things is simply not true. It’s the same five or so disgruntled people (including Joseline) out of the hundreds who have worked with Zeus, the vast majority of whom actually care about me and have never said anything negative. These same few people got upset in a moment, said things, then came back around to work with me and the company… let’s be for real. If anything, I’ve been too generous, patient, and forgiving of that behavior and still allowed them to work with me.”

He went on to make clear that he refuses to be intimidated or extorted, adding that his previous statements were simply reminders to Joseline about her contractual agreement with Zeus.

Social Media Weighs In 

Folks stepped into The Shade Room Teens as they tried to keep up with the Zeus drama. Many weighed in on the allegations. Some debated who was telling the truth. Others argued that neither Joseline nor Lemuel are innocent.

Instagram user @theyluv_keeee wrote, “idk Scotty girl ion think EVB lying with proof to go with it”

Instagram user @tsehaiwalton wrote, “ Lemmy give her back her phone..😂”

While Instagram user @_.t2tough wrote, “I do believe some things are true but I do not believe he beat scotty come on nate 😂”

Instagram user @_lovefearlesslyxo wrote, “we know Janeisha is going to do anything to continue getting paid NEXT”

Instagram user @arriy.ureshii added, “I thought she would have been one person who has joseline back”

While Instagram user @_lasiaaa_ wrote, lI don’t think Lemmy wrong! She breached her contract. However, the accusations is crazy and I hope it’s not true.”

Instagram user @mel_mitchell16 wrote, “Lets see:Jose-line was getting paid and didn’t complain about what he was doing to these women. Now, the checks stopped. She’s crying!”

Instagram user @nas_babyy wrote, “We need a surviving Joseline just like we need one about Surviving Lemmy. Both of them are the same person one just has a penis between his legs. That’s why I be confused when Chin-woo try to be like Joseline because wtf would you want to resemble Joseline or Lemmy on anything”

While Instagram user @thaarealllz wrote, “Man take this sh*t up in court”

RELATED: Congrats! Scotty & Zeus CEO Lemuel Plummer Announce The Arrival Of Their Baby Girl (PHOTOS)

If you need convincing that Henry Cavill should play James Bond following Daniel Craig‘s departure in the 2021 film, No Time to Die, then this latest streaming hit is for you. Over the weekend, this spy action comedy returned to the streaming charts. And while it didn’t perform well at the box office, it still resonates with audiences, even to this day.

Cavill is one of many contenders to become the next 007, along with Riz Ahmed, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, and Idris Elba, to name a few. Cavill’s career began in 2001, and while he’s known for his role as Superman in the DCU, he also appeared in other hit projects like The Witcher, Enola Holmes, and a short cameo role in Deadpool & Wolverine. The actor is working on a handful of other projects, most notably the live-action adaptation of Voltron, the Amazon Warhammer series, and John Wick director Chad Stahelski‘s Highlander remake. It has yet to be announced who will be the next James Bond, and fans were turning in to this 2024 film, which could remind people why Cavill is perfect for the role.

Over the weekend, the 2024 film Argylle returned to the Apple TV streaming charts, sitting at #8 between Fountain of Youth and The Family Plan. Directed by the Kingsman franchise’s Matthew Vaughn, the feature included a star-studded cast, including Bryan Cranston, Catherine O’Hara, Dua Lipa, John Cena, and Samuel L. Jackson. Argylle stars Bryce Dallas Howard as Elly Conway, an author known for her spy novels. But her writing caught the attention of an organization called The Division because her books are so accurate to real-life events. Despite its recent streaming success, Argylle didn’t perform well at the box office. With a reported budget of $200 million, the film only generated $96.2 million worldwide.

Is ‘Argylle’ Worth Watching?

Despite its poor box office performance, Argylle received mixed reviews from fans and critics alike. On Rotten Tomatoes, Argylle earned a critics’ score of 33% while audiences gave it 70%. Meanwhile, Argylle received a CinemaScore of C+ and a low Letterboxd score of 2.3 stars. According to critics like CBR, Vaughn has “embraced the childish glee” of various spy-movie tropes, but his other works are better when compared to Argylle. Others, like ScreenRant, claimed the movie was a “fun spoof on the spy genre,” but criticized the amount of plot twists. Collider’s Maggie Lovitt reviewed Argylle, giving it a score of 8/10. She described Argylle as a “fun movie,” praised Cavill’s performance as the fictional spy, and said the film had “smart execution,” but noted it had “questionable CGI.”

Argylle is available to stream on Apple TV. Follow Collider for more updates.

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Release Date

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February 2, 2024

Runtime

139 Minutes

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Director

Matthew Vaughn

Writers

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Jason Fuchs

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Country icon Reba McEntire is speaking out after the heartbreaking loss of one of her “The Voice” mentees, and her tribute is hitting fans right in the emotions. The music world is reeling after the sudden and tragic death of Dylan Carter, a rising country singer who appeared on “The Voice.” The 24-year-old died following a devastating car crash in his home state of South Carolina. Authorities confirmed Carter succumbed to blunt force injuries sustained in the accident, which occurred late Saturday night.

‘The Voice’ Star Dylan Carter Dead At 24

According to officials, Carter was driving his 2026 Tesla sedan southbound on U.S. 21, known locally as Lowcountry Highway, when he veered off the road around 11:22 p.m. near the town of Smoaks. Police say the vehicle jumped a curb before crashing into a utility pole and fence, ultimately flipping over.

Carter, who was wearing a seatbelt and was the only person in the vehicle, was discovered by emergency responders and rushed to a nearby hospital, where he later died from his injuries. Authorities have ruled the crash accidental.

Carter’s vehicle reportedly did not catch fire following the crash, a detail in contrast to other high-profile wrecks involving Tesla vehicles.

The young artist had been scheduled to perform at the “Music on Main” festival in Moncks Corner on Monday night. Following news of his passing, the event was canceled.

Reba McEntire Shares Emotional Tribute

Tributes quickly poured in from across the music community, led by Carter’s former mentor, Reba McEntire. “We will miss Dylan so much,” she wrote. 

McEntire, who worked closely with Carter during his time on the show, described him as ‘a brilliant, kind and talented young man who brought a huge ray of sunshine to ‘The Voice’.” She added, “Rest in peace, my dear friend.”

‘The Voice’ Family Mourns Loss

The NBC competition series also released a statement honoring Carter’s memory. “‘The Voice’ family is deeply saddened by the passing of Dylan Carter, a remarkable talent whose joy and light were felt by those around him on set,” they wrote. “Our condolences are with his family, friends and community. He will be missed.”

Organization Honors Dylan Carter’s Legacy

As tributes continue to pour in, a spokesperson for The Local Voice is shedding more light on the impact Dylan Carter had beyond the stage. Speaking with the Daily Mail, the rep shared that Carter “used his voice as a way to reach people and give back,” adding that he had a “genuine heart for helping others and bringing people together,” which is “what he was most proud of.”

According to the organization, Carter had also been planning to take part in upcoming charity events, a mission they now plan to continue in his honor, noting they will “honor and carry his mission forward.”

The statement turned emotional as the spokesperson acknowledged the deep grief surrounding his loss. “His family and friends are grieving this unimaginable loss, and we ask for continued prayers and respect for their privacy,” the rep said. “We find comfort knowing he is in Heaven hugging his Mama.”

Carter’s mother, Julie, died in 2022, just one year before he appeared on “The Voice.”

Fans React With Heartbreak On X

Fans also took to X to share their grief and reflect on Dylan Carter’s life, with many expressing shock over the young singer’s sudden passing.

“I’m glad he pursued his passion and won. He climbed a mountain that few succeed at and got the realizations of his life. In my heart, I know he is ok, and thankful for the blessings that allowed him to get all the way up that mountain. He touched millions and will remain in our hearts,” one user wrote.

“Gone at 24 with so much talent and life ahead. This one hurts. RIP Dylan Carter,” another post read. Others focused on his age and the tragedy of losing someone so young. “That is really tragic. 24 is a young age. I’m sending his family, friends, and the entire Moncks Corner community my love and support. May his memories and songs endure, and may his soul rest in peace,” one person shared.

Porsha Williams announced her exit from “The Real Housewives of Atlanta” in 2021. Of course, she’s since returned to the show, but there’s been an ongoing narrative that she left to avoid speaking about her marriage to Simon Guobadia. Now, years later, the “RHOA” star is dispelling that rumor, saying she’d already planned to leave the show.

Williams appeared on Carlos King’s “Reality With The King” podcast on April 28. While on the show, the famed reality television producer mentioned that she’d not only left “RHOA” amid her marriage to Guobadia, but also given up other jobs, including hosting “Dish Nation.”

That led her to say, “For the record, I left ‘Housewives’ for that break when I was around 40.” She went on to say that she “had planned for that financially, mentally, everything.” From there, Williams noted that this was after she’d had her daughter and that she wanted to “experience real life in real time outside of the cameras.”

The “RHOA” star continued, “I knew I was going to give myself that time to step away. I had financially prepared for that,” before noting that the show pays a substantial amount, meaning she had to prepare to not have that income.

The ‘RHOA’ Star Says Simon Guobadia Supplemented Her Income

Williams continued this line of conversation, discussing meeting Guobadia after having already decided to leave “RHOA.” According to her, “Then I met Simon, and at that point I was working at Dish Nation, and I was traveling with him and all that.”

She then explained that Guobadia wanted her to be with him more often. Because of this, he decided to “supplement that income.” Williams went on, “So that’s how that happened. I did not leave ‘Housewives’ because I got married. It was planned.”

Regarding the persistent rumors about her departure, she said, “Yeah, I don’t understand that. I’ve dealt with worse questions on ‘Housewives,’” before noting that she wouldn’t have returned for season 16 if that had been the case.

Later, Williams claimed she let Bravo know she wasn’t returning before the “Real Housewives of Atlanta” season 13 reunion.

Fans Are Raving About Porsha Williams’ Carlos King Interview

King first teased that he’d be interviewing Williams with a clip from the hour-plus conversation on April 27. Because of this, the conversation between the two longtime friends was highly anticipated, and many are now reacting online.

One person on YouTube said, “Porsha has evolved egregiously throughout her time on RHOA.” Another “RHOA” fan wrote, “This is the most authentic, hilarious, and enjoyable video you have done, Carlos! Porsha has an indomitable spirit! She has triumphed over the hatred spewed at her by jealous haters, and she continues to and always will survive and succeed in her ambitions!”

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Someone else said, “Whenever I see Porsha talking, I always feel like she should preach; she actually always has a word of encouragement.”

Lastly, a different fan stated, “This interview was so good. One of the reasons I’m a fan of Porsha is her ability to live in her truth. I love people who are authentically themselves and live life on their own terms, no matter how others may feel. Life is short, why spend it worrying about what others think when the majority of folks can’t figure their own lives out.”

Porsha Williams Recently Teased ‘RHOA’ Season 17

Season 17 of “The Real Housewives of Atlanta” premiered in April 2026. Since then, fans have raved, saying that while not the glory days, it represents a return to form. Ahead of the show’s return, she spoke to US Weekly, teasing a “lighter” season compared to some of the past few.

According to Williams, “This was not a dark season. It probably could have gone there, but it just wasn’t. We all want to be friends, and we’re grown.” Regarding her mindset ahead of season 17, she revealed, “I just wanted a clean slate, and I wanted to have a good time. I wanted to be open to new friendships… and have this season feel like a breath of fresh air.”

It’s worth noting that Williams was going through her divorce from Guobadia amid filming for the new season. When asked who she leaned on from the cast, the mom of one said, “Phaedra [Parks ]and I have a very trusting friendship. So do Cynthia [Bailey] and I. I know she probably misses some of the OGs. I always look for her and Phaedra —we have our little camaraderie of doing this for so long.”

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The Reality Star Is Happily Off The Market

Williams’ divorce from Guobadia was finalized in June 2025. Months later, the “RHOA” star revealed she was dating two people, a man and a woman. However, time passed, and she then confirmed her relationship with Patrice “Sway” McKinney.

She spoke about their relationship in her US Weekly interview, stating, “You just know when you know. I felt comfortable. I felt led more toward her and our relationship and what we were building.”

“The Real Housewives of Atlanta” airs on Bravo Sunday nights.

Roomies, internet users are reacting to Zoë Kravitz and Harry Styles reportedly getting engaged.

RELATED: What’s Tea, Sis? Zoë Kravitz Breaks Silence Months After She & Channing Tatum Called Off Their Engagement

Zoë Kravitz & Harry Styles Are Reportedly Engaged

According to Page Six, earlier this month, a source informed the outlet that the pair had gotten engaged.

“He is completely smitten. He would jump off a cliff for her,” the source reportedly explained while noting that Kravitz is “on cloud nine.”

Per the outlet, the pair were spotted out and about earlier this month. Furthermore, photos showed Kravitz walking with a ring on her finger, presumably worth over $500,000. Per the outlet, the pair were first linked to each other in August 2025. And since then, their romance reportedly took off.

“It’s so hard to date as a celebrity… Harry wouldn’t have gone public with Zoë if it wasn’t anything,” the source also noted.

PEOPLE adds that a source also confirmed the same information to the outlet. Furthermore, reportedly adding that Kravitz has been showing off her engagement ring.

 Internet Users Are Reacting To Zoë Kravitz & Harry Styles Reportedly Getting Engaged

Internet users reacted to Zoë Kravitz’s engagement to Harry Styles in TSR’s comment section.

Here’s What Was Happening Before Their Reported Engagement

As The Shade Room previously reported, in October 2023, Zoë Kravitz and Channing Tatum made headlines when it was announced they were engaged. Furthermore, around that time, she was spotted with a ring on her finger.

Zoe Kravitz & Channing Tatum are engaged, her diamond ring is huge https://t.co/tZl9xXZAQv pic.twitter.com/UyOu2wMJEE

— Kaiser@Celebitchy (@KaiseratCB) October 31, 2023

Then, a year later, it was reported that their engagement had been called off, per The Shade Room. Around that time, Kravitz was reportedly seen without her ring.

By February 2025, Kravitz spoke about Channing Tatum while discussing the film she directed and in which he starred, ‘Blink Twice.’ At the time, she was asked by ELLE whether their breakup tainted her directorial debut.

“Not at all,” she said in part at the time. “I love this thing that we made together, and I care for him very much… I just feel so grateful that we got to go on that journey together… He’s got a lot to offer, so I’m excited for people to keep witnessing that.”

In March of that year, Tatum was spotted out with a model, which left some to wonder if he was moving on.

RELATED: Issa Bae Watch?! Channing Tatum Pops Out With THIS Model Following He & Zoë Kravitz Ending Their Engagement (PHOTOS)

By Robert Scucci
| Published 19 seconds ago

They say that revenge is a dish best served cold, but that’s physically impossible in 2008’s Bone Dry, a chase thriller set entirely in the punishing desert. The marketing ahead of the film’s release pitches the viewing experience as “Deliverance meets Duel,” but if anything, it reminds me of another low-budget film called Drifter that came out the same year. The main difference between the two films is that Drifter leans more into the Saw film series, with a group of people waking up in the desert and being forced to endure a series of challenges if they want to survive.

In Bone Dry, on the other hand, we’re introduced to a man being hunted by a ruthless antagonist who seems to be having just a little too much fun torturing him as hours turn into days under the brutal desert sun. Funny enough, and this is a pattern I’ve noticed in a lot of low-budget movies, both films feature protagonists dressed in business-casual attire. I’m not sure if this is meant to make them appear more legitimate, or to drive home the point that wearing synthetic fabric blends in the middle of a heat wave is about as unpleasant as it gets.

Though there are conflicting reports on how much it cost writer-director Brett A. Hart to film Bone Dry, it’s clearly a low-budget effort, with estimates suggesting it probably cost around a million dollars, potentially topping out closer to $5 million. Fortunately, those limitations don’t really show on screen because the on-location shooting does most of the visual heavy lifting for this particular game of cat and mouse.

Two Guys And A Gun, Having All Sorts Of Fun

Like most survival or chase thrillers, there’s really not much to Bone Dry, and that’s the point. The less you know about it, the better.

Here’s what you absolutely need to know before deciding if it’s the next thing you fire up on Tubi. A man named Eddie (Luke Goss) is chased through the desert by a psychopath named Jimmy (Lance Henriksen). Jimmy gets a sick thrill out of torturing Eddie, giving him just enough water to survive along with very simple instructions to keep walking North or be executed. Along the way, Eddie is subjected to Jimmy’s sadistic machinations, which include being knocked unconscious and handcuffed naked to a very tall cactus, buried up to his neck in hot, rocky sand, and given water bottles that turn out to be filled with salt water.

As time passes, Eddie becomes increasingly delirious, but through his hallucinations we catch glimpses of the backstory that brought these two men together in the first place. It slowly becomes clear that Jimmy has a personal vendetta against Eddie, for reasons that aren’t yet clear to Eddie, making the hunter’s motives all the more menacing.

A Low-Budget, But Very Resourceful Thriller

Breaking Bad creator Vince Gilligan once said that the real star of the show was Albuquerque, New Mexico. Some of the series’ best shots come from the rolling clouds, hazy sun, and thick air. Bone Dry, which was filmed on location across desert regions in California, Utah, and Arizona, boasts a similar aesthetic, but it’s the only aesthetic it boasts. There are no city streets or sound stages here, just the pure, punishing heat of an unforgiving desert landscape.

While the conflict is immediately clear in Bone Dry, the film escalates smoothly as we learn more about its two principal characters. The stakes remain largely the same throughout, but your perception of each man evolves along the way, making for an engaging watch.

The only real bone I have to pick with the film is minor, and when you consider the budget, probably inevitable. Eddie wanders through the desert for days, sustains a significant number of injuries, and just keeps going. In real life, I imagine he’d be reduced to a walking boil after a single day, especially after the cactus scene, but he keeps pushing forward. I’m not a huge fan of hyper-realistic gore, so this was actually a relief, but if you’re watching Bone Dry for realism, you’ll need to suspend some disbelief.

The real story is about the two men, the hunt, and the inciting incident that brought them together in the first place. If you want to find out what that incident is, all you have to do is fire up Bone Dry on Tubi, where it’s streaming for free.

Days of Our Lives stuns as Marlena Evans (Dirdre Hall) is on the list of people invited to the upcoming reading of Stefano DiMera‘s (Joseph Mascolo) will. And EJ DiMera (Dan Feuerriegel) was a little surprised that Marlena’s listed as a beneficiary now. But it kind of makes sense.

So, the question is, what will Dr. Evans inherit from her former tormentor Stefano? And I got to tell you, I wasn’t surprised when EJ vented to Cat Green (AnnaLynne McCord) about the codicil that named Theo Carver (Cameron Johnson) as the executor. And added Marlena as one of Stefano’s beneficiaries. Let’s talk about the shockers ahead.

EJ Discovers Changes to Stefano’s Will on Days of Our Lives

So, recently EJ’s been preparing for the family gathering so they can read Patriarch Stefano’s long delayed will, the one that as far as he knows was drafted many years ago. EJ thought he knew exactly what was in that will. So he was pretty pleased. But now it seems like EJ was privy to an earlier version of his father Stefano’s will. And doesn’t know what is in the latest one.

So, EJ’s assistant Cat has been working these past few weeks to set up the family gathering at the DiMera mansion for the will reading. And EJ warned Cat from the start that the event is going to be chaotic. And seems like the chaos has already started.

When EJ went to probate court, that’s when he found out his nephew Theo had replaced him as the executor of Stefano’s will. And of course, Lexie Carver‘s (Nikki Crawford) only son, Theo, was very close to his nonno Stefano. And the Phoenix always felt guilty about Lexie’s death. Because Andre DiMera (Thaao Penghlis) kidnapped and trapped her in the tunnels where she was exposed to tumor-causing toxins that took her life.

So, it was one of Stefano’s final wishes that Lexie be revived someday. And that’s about to happen. It makes sense that Stefano would want his sweet daughter Lexie’s son to oversee his will and act as executor to make sure everybody gets their bequest. Because EJ’s not always above board. And that includes Stefano’s bequest to Marlena Evans, who I’m guessing probably doesn’t want anything that Stefano might have left her.

Marlena Added as a Beneficiary on DOOL

And the executor change wasn’t the only news that EJ got during the quick meeting with the estate attorneys when he went over to probate court. That’s when he found out Marlena was added to the latest version of Stefano’s will as a beneficiary. So decades ago, as you know, he claimed Marlena as his queen of the night.

So, honestly, it shouldn’t be a real surprise that Stefano would include Marlena in his last will and testament since Stefano had an obsessive crush on Marlena for way too long. And if you’ve been watching for decades, you know that that’s what led to her first demonic possession.

Days Twist: Stefano Still Fixated on Marlena?

So, Stefano including Marlena as a beneficiary in his last will and testament is a classic soapy very DiMera twist. And it could be seen as him making a gesture of peace to Marlena from beyond the grave. You know some effort by Stefano to redeem himself posthumously in her eyes. But maybe not.

It could be down to his lingering fixation on Marlena that probably lasted until his deathbed. You know, maybe Stefano made this gesture to prove that even if he’s passed on, his love for Marlena is eternal and will never die. Creepy, right? Sounds like something he would do more so than Stefano seeking redemption in the end.

So, remember at Stefano’s memorial earlier this year, after Kristen DiMera (Stacy Haiduk) and Theo and the others found his bones in the crypt. And Rafe identified them, when Marlena said her last goodbye to the Phoenix, her candles suddenly extinguished. So, sort of like Stefano was communicating with Marlena from beyond the grave. And now with the upcoming family gathering, we know Stefano is not done with Marlena. Not by a long shot.

What Could Stefano Have Left Marlena?

So, let’s talk about exactly what Stefano left Marlena in his will and what it could mean. And of course, there is the question of whether she will even accept it. So, first, the most obvious thing that Stefano could have bequeathed her is a big pile of cash that he left to Marlena or some sort of trust fund called the Queen of the Night trust that she can use at her discretion.

Now, we know that Stefano was incredibly wealthy from legitimate business. And also from some very shady DiMera dealings. So, he could have honestly left Marlena millions of dollars, possibly as compensation for the years of pain and suffering that he caused Marlena and her family. Or, you know, in an ickier fashion, maybe Stefano left Marlena a big bunch of Benjamins as a way to provide for the woman he was so obsessed with even after his death on Days of our Lives.

Days of our Lives: Will Marlena Accept?

Now, I would say that ordinarily Marlena probably wouldn’t accept money from Stefano. But if it’s a trust that can be used for the hospital or the clinic or something philanthropic or charitable that Marlena can, you know, direct the money to, she might accept it. Another option is Stefano might have left Marlena something personal or symbolic that’s tied to her twisted history with Stefano.

You know, he may have left Marlena an elegant piece of jewelry to remind her of the Queen of the Night masquerade era. If you remember in the past, he gave her that pearl necklace. There was that black diamond pen, a bunch of other extravagant gifts over the many years that he was fixated with Marlena.

It’s also possible that Stefano left Marlena something like a rare first edition of One Thousand and One Arabian Nights. You know, the book Stefano used as part of his mind control over Marlena. Then again, Stefano could have left her one of his many properties in Salem or overseas, the DiMera Island.

Or you know, he could have amended his will. And gave Marlena a shareholder stake in DiMera Enterprises or even a seat on the board. Or in a sick twist, Stefano might have left Marlena something related to John Black‘s (Drake Hogestyn) memory. Because he was Stefano’s pawn for so many years.

One Last Mind Game From Beyond The Grave on DOOL

So whatever he’s left Marlena, I’m going to guess that it feels like another of Stefano’s mind games. One last one from beyond the grave, you know. And the bequest could have conditions that would keep Marlena close to the DiMeras or ensure that she will never forget Stefano as long as she lives. I’m sure that he’d be thrilled to live rent-free in Marlena’s head for all eternity. So, I could see him pulling a classic Stefano move that he might have considered romantic as a gesture towards Marlena. But in reality is just super unsettling.

And I expect the executor change over to Theo and the bequest to Marlena are not the only shockers that we’re going to get with this will. We know that Tony DiMera is back for the will reading. Chad DiMera (Connor Floyd) just got back in town with a new face. So, everybody’s on hand that they need to do this reading.

I expect EJ is going to have several shockers coming his way by the time all the details are revealed. And of course, all these bequests will spark maximum drama for May sweeps. And we all know Stefano’s gifts were never just gifts. There’s always strings attached and these bequests are likely going to be the same.

By Jonathan Klotz
| Published 39 seconds ago

Not every anime needs to go for hundreds of episodes to tell a fulfilling and thought-provoking story, and a few only need a dozen or fewer to leave a lasting impact. From Paranoia Agent to Afro Samurai, it’s not the length of the story that matters, but how well it’s told. To that end, one of the greatest anime of the 90s, Serial Experiment Lain, will haunt you for years after watching only 13 episodes.

Serial Experiments Lain is from the subset of horror that relies less on jump scares and more on a pervasive feeling of unease that there’s something not right with the world. Instead of scaring you, the series forces you to confront the terrifying reality of life and what it means to be human. From the slightly off-putting animation style to the use of discordant music, everything about the series puts you on edge, and it’s one of the best anime ever made.

A Dead Classmate Starts Sending Emails

I had forgotten how low-key the story of Serial Experiments Lain starts, when Lain, an introverted and meek teenage girl, becomes fascinated by the concept of the Wired, a virtual world. The interest starts when a dead classmate starts sending emails to her former classmates about the Wired, and it only picks up when Lain’s dad upgrades her home computer, and she slowly starts to lose herself in the virtual world.

What’s strange is that after Lain meets people in reality, they always say they’ve seen her before, yet her personality is the complete opposite of their description.

An Influence On The Matrix

Trying to describe Serial Experiments Lain is difficult, and there’s a reason that this is another anime cited by the Wachowskis as influencing the story of The Matrix, but it’s also widely compared to Twin Peaks and the work of David Lynch. Similar to the director’s work, the anime series isn’t a linear story, with later episodes turning the early events on their heads, but in the end, everything does tie together and make sense. Mostly. You’ll have some questions.

Whenever I hear that a piece of media, from a book to a movie or even a video game, deals with the nature of reality, I know to brace myself for an “artistic vision” that doesn’t make sense on purpose. Serial Experiments Lain takes this one step further by asking what we even mean when we use the term “reality” and how it changes for each person. And what happens when someone tries to enforce their understanding of reality on another?

Neon Genesis Evangelion has a mind-bending finale, and Akira goes well beyond where it starts as a story about a post-apocalyptic bike gang, but in my experience, nothing comes close to the strange world of Serial Experiments Lain.

Serial Experiments Lain Is Difficult To Find And Out Of Print

The exceptional Blu-Ray release, if you can find it, is the best way to watch Serial Experiments Lain, but it was released in 2014 and has been out of print for years. If other 90s anime classics like Ninja Scroll and Berserk can get incredible re-releases on 4K UHD Blu-Ray, so should this bizarre, twisted tale of technological psychological horror.

I was fortunate enough to get my hands on the DVD release years ago, as today, if you want to watch this amazing series, you need to purchase it from AppleTV or Microsoft.