Spoiler Alert: This list contains spoilers for The Bear Season 5.It’s the final service in Season 5 of The Bear. After 1,440 hours, Carmen “Carmy” Berzatto (Jeremy Allen White) finally hands over the keys to the restaurant. But he and his crew weren’t about to go down without a fight. Picking up right after the Season 4 finale, Carmy leaves The Bear in the hands of his trusted partner Sydney Adamu (Ayo Edebiri) and his loud but dependable friend Richie (Ebon Moss-Bachrach). Then, literally the next day, everything that can go wrong does. Raging storms, burst pipes, and a shortage of ingredients turn their final service into a complete nightmare.

Season 5 puts The Bear through one last gauntlet, showing both the highs and the lows of running a restaurant when everything is on the line. Some episodes are among the show’s very best, while others feel more like setup than payoff. But taken together, they deliver a fitting send-off to a series that’s always been about more than just food. After nearly four years of kitchen chaos, here’s every episode of The Bear Season 5, ranked.

8

“Lamb”

Episode 2

Image via FX

“Lamb” isn’t the strongest episode, largely because it is a continuation of the fallout set up by its predecessor. As the team deals with the repercussions of a flooded basement and a shortage of ingredients, the episode mostly follows everyone scrambling to find the next best solution. It’s the same familiar story of The Bear — a restaurant constantly putting out fires — but this time, the stakes are pushed to their absolute limit.

What is new about “Lamb” is that Uncle Jimmy (Oliver Platt), Computer (Brian Koppelman), and his equally calculating niece, Cheese (Elsie Fisher), finally step up to do something about the situation. After spending much of the previous season complaining about mounting losses, it’s refreshing to watch them take action instead. They may not love the restaurant business, but Uncle Jimmy certainly isn’t willing to lose more of his money. That urgency sets the trio on a far more proactive path, as they race to keep the restaurant afloat and minimize the damage.

7

“Soda”

Episode 1

Image via FX

For all the storm that’s brewing, “Soda” is like a kettle that’s only just beginning to whistle — it hasn’t exploded yet, at least not until the very end. Everyone is clearly under pressure, but nobody has cracked just yet. The episode opens with the looming possibility that the restaurant’s next service could be its last. Everyone prepares for the night as if it’s business as usual, but an unspoken sense of dread hangs over the kitchen. Even with torrential rain threatening to ruin their do-or-die service, they all show up ready to fight for one last shot.

Still, that determination isn’t fueled by blind optimism. Each character spends the day wrestling with the uncertainty of what comes next before stepping into the restaurant, caught somewhere between denial and accepting the inevitable. Then, a burst pipe in the basement turns their worst fears into reality, kicking off the kind of frantic, all-hands-on-deck chaos that The Bear does better than almost any other show.

6

“Ribs”

Episode 4

Image via FX

After all the wet and wild madness of the previous episodes, “Ribs” provides a much-needed breather as The Bear prepares for an uncertain service. Fittingly, it’s an episode where nearly every character gets the chance for a heartfelt conversation. Sugar (Abby Elliott) and Carmy have finally reached a place where they can laugh about their complicated history with Donna (Jamie Lee Curtis), even joking over who her favorite child really is. Meanwhile, Tina (Liza Colón-Zayas) and Sydney reaffirm that they’ll always have each other’s backs, marking a huge step forward from their frosty rivalry in Season 1.

What makes “Ribs” truly unforgettable is the closing scene, where Cousin Richie delivers one of his signature pep talks. His motivational speeches are usually hilarious because he stumbles through big words while trying to inspire everyone. Here, however, he’s at his most honest and vulnerable, admitting that nothing about the restaurant is perfect — and that’s okay, because they’re a “f–king family.”

5

“Mint”

Episode 3

Image via FX

“Mint” is where things really start to simmer, especially between Carmy and Syd, who do their best to keep the peace despite the growing strain between them. They can’t seem to get on the same wavelength, making an interesting contrast to how naturally Marcus (Lionel Boyce) and Luca (Will Poulter) click. Audiences can feel the tension slowly building as Carmy micromanages Sydney without even realizing it, while Syd keeps swallowing her frustration to avoid another fight.

But the real shocker is Carmy’s sudden confession to the staff that he’s leaving The Bear, which comes completely out of nowhere. The reveal stings even more because Sydney lets it slip under her breath out of pure annoyance with Carmy, accidentally breaking the news herself. It feels like a knife to the back, but what really hurts is seeing Uncle Jimmy’s reaction. He’d never looked at Carmy with that much disappointment or betrayal before, which is a subtle note as to how Jimmy never really saw Carmy as just a mere business partner, but as someone whom he truly cared about. And the fact that someone he cares about would do this to him has never enraged Uncle Jimmy more.

4

“Raspberries”

Episode 5

Image via FX

There’s no better way to cut through the gloom than by putting one of The Bear‘s most unlikely heroes in charge: Pete Katinsky (Chris Witaske), Sugar’s husband. It’s a running joke that the Berzatto family finds him unbearably annoying, mostly because he’s so relentlessly optimistic compared to their dysfunction. But Pete’s golden retriever energy fuels some of “Raspberries’” laughable moments, from being hilariously “tricked” by Sydney into taking out the trash to getting whisked away by Uncle Jimmy’s entourage to negotiate the building’s air rights.

The episode also stirs up conflict between two of the show’s most unexpected chefs: Marcus and Luca. Pitting them against each other is a bold choice, given their easy, brotherly bond throughout the series. It’s refreshing to see Marcus’ increasingly obsessive pursuit of perfection — a flaw that’s surfaced before — finally test Luca’s patience. Watching the usually calm and level-headed chef lose his composure adds a new dynamic to their relationship while proving that even the strongest partnerships can crack under pressure.

3

“The Original Beef of Chicagoland”

It’s tough to top the visceral camaraderie of “Foccacia” or “Caramel,” but the season finale, “The Original Beef of Chicagoland,” delivers the sense of calm the show has earned after five seasons of constant calamity. In the aftermath of the previous night’s disastrous service, audiences might expect a triumphant victory lap. Instead, the finale makes a quieter point: a bad service is simply another day in the restaurant business. No matter how rough things get, there’s always another shift waiting tomorrow.

And because there’s always another day, problems simply don’t disappear. That’s a powerful reflection not only on the restaurant industry but on life itself. Still, that doesn’t mean the characters can’t celebrate the victories they do earn. Beyond the exciting news of their two Michelin stars, “The Original Beef of Chicagoland” doesn’t tie every loose end together, but it offers something even more meaningful: hope. The future of the restaurant remains uncertain, but the bond between its people has always been the one thing they can count on — and that’s what The Bear has always been about.

2

“Focaccia”

Episode 6

Image via FX

In typical The Bear fashion, any episode centered on service usually emphasizes the overall chaos. It captures the feeling that everything is falling apart without always pinpointing exactly why. “Focaccia” finally changes that. While it still showcases the mounting pressure in the kitchen, it zeroes in on one specific problem driving the disaster: overbookings. By focusing on a tangible issue instead of general mayhem, the episode makes the escalating tension feel even more immediate and focused.

In theory, more guests should mean more profit and a successful night. But The Bear doesn’t have enough seats, forcing the staff to improvise in increasingly absurd ways. Richie’s crew hauls out makeshift tables and chairs, while a few diners are even brought inside the kitchen for an “intimate experience.” It starts as a clever solution, but quickly unravels when those same guests witness the last thing the kitchen needs: Marcus and Luca getting physical.

1

“Caramel”

Episode 7

Image via FX

“Caramel” is The Bear at its absolute best, and it doesn’t disappoint. Time and again, the series reminds viewers that the show isn’t really about the food or earning a Michelin star — it’s about the chosen family keeping it alive. “Caramel” rekindles that spirit, giving even the most jaded viewers a reason to root for this dysfunctional crew, despite how often they get under one another’s skin.

The Bear may have started as Carmy’s dream, but “Caramel” gives every character a chance to shine as they pull together through service. Standout moments include Neil charming a potential Michelin inspector with the story behind his tattoos and the entire kitchen stepping in to give Carmy room to recover after he commits every chef’s nightmare: dropping a plated dish. But the real highlight is the team’s last-minute decision to swap their ambitious lamb course for Sydney’s humble family recipe, proving that while presentation matters, it’s heart and intention that truly make a dish — and a restaurant — memorable.

Advertisement

The Bear

Advertisement

Release Date

2022 – 2026-00-00

Network

Advertisement

Hulu

Showrunner

Christopher Storer

Advertisement

Directors

Ramy Youssef

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Lewis Hamilton and Kim Kardashian‘s relationship has continued to attract attention since the pair went public earlier this year, with sources claiming the romance is affecting various aspects of the F1 star’s life.

From reportedly investing in wellness treatments to spending time with Kardashian’s children and enjoying luxury getaways together, the couple’s relationship appears to be growing stronger.

Insiders also suggest Kim Kardashian and Lewis Hamilton’s shared ambitions and easy connection are making them one of Hollywood’s most talked-about pairings.

Hamilton is reportedly paying closer attention to his appearance as his relationship with Kim Kardashian continues to attract intense public interest.

According to a report, sources shared that the F1 driver has been exploring a range of premium wellness and cosmetic treatments, with concerns about hair thinning among his main focuses.

“It’s not as though Lewis wasn’t in the spotlight before Kim, but the level of attention on him now is even more intense, and so is the pressure he feels to look perfect,” a source says.

Although Hamilton is said to have experimented with non-surgical options such as red-light therapy and specialized hair-growth products, the insider notes that “the only thing that really makes a big difference is getting a hair transplant surgery.”

However, with the Formula One season keeping him busy until December, any major procedures are reportedly being postponed. For now, the insider claims Hamilton is opting for less invasive treatments, including Botox and injectables, as he continues to maintain his image under growing public scrutiny.

They further allege that Kardashian has not pressured Hamilton to change his appearance but has introduced him to the world of cosmetic enhancements, an area in which she is considered highly knowledgeable.

Friends Say Kim Kardashian And Lewis Hamilton Are A Perfect Match

Meanwhile, friends of the couple reportedly believe they are an ideal match.

Sources describe their relationship as easygoing and natural, noting that their previous friendship helped create a strong foundation.

The pair is said to share similar ambitions and outlooks on life, with one insider claiming they have a level of comfort together that makes it seem as though “they’ve been together for years.”

“Everything feels very easy and light,” the insider told People Magazine. “The fact that they knew each other before helps, but they both align in terms of ambition, life goals, and making things easy.”

Lewis Hamilton Is ‘Very Into’ The Business Mogul

Hamilton and the SKIMS founder first sparked romance rumors in February following a series of public appearances, including at Super Bowl LX, before making their relationship Instagram official in April.

Those close to the couple say Hamilton is deeply invested in the romance as he “is very into” Kardashian and is “always saying how gorgeous she is, giving her attention.”

“It’s very cute,” the insider shared. “After some of Kim’s other relationships, friends think this is just what she needs. She’s always at peace with him.”

The Formula One star publicly addressed the relationship for the first time during the Monaco Grand Prix on June 8, expressing gratitude for Kardashian’s support throughout the race weekend.

“It’s amazing to have her come this weekend and have the support,” Hamilton said during a post-race press conference, per People.

He added: “But, you know, with my friends, incredible turnout, just overall, the people,” he added. “It’s amazing to have good people around you and good people supporting you, and she does that for me every day.”

Kardashian later offered fans a glimpse into their relationship by sharing photos from a day spent together, including an image of the pair riding bicycles.

Sources have also suggested that Hamilton’s growing bond with Kardashian’s four children, North, Saint, Chicago, and Psalm, is a reflection of the trust she places in him, as she is known to be highly “protective of them and doesn’t take new introductions lightly.”

Lewis Hamilton And Kim Kardashian Pack On The PDA During A Luxury Yacht Escape

The couple was recently seen enjoying a getaway to the French Riviera following Hamilton’s impressive Monaco performance.

Photos obtained by Hola! showed them sharing affectionate moments aboard a luxury yacht, with Hamilton dressed in Ferrari team gear and Kardashian opting for a black bodysuit and a more natural look with her hair worn down.

The yacht excursion came after Kardashian spent the race weekend supporting Hamilton from the grandstands alongside her sister, Khloé Kardashian.

She also drew attention for several fashion-forward outfits during the event, including a black lace ensemble and a backless nude-toned gown accessorized with black heels, purple-tinted sunglasses, and a sleek high bun.

Jon & Kate Plus 8 alum Collin Gosselin has a not-so-subtle message for his mother, Kate Gosselin, amid their ongoing estrangement and ahead of his tell-all memoir’s release.

Collin, 22, took to his Instagram Stories on Saturday, June 27, to repost a news report claiming that Kate, 51, was “spiraling” about the contents of her son’s forthcoming book. (In addition to Collin, Kate and ex-husband Jon Gosselin are parents of twins Mady and Cara, 25, and sextuplets Collin, Hannah, Alexis, Leah, Joel and Aaden, all 22.)

Collin’s social media activity also included a screenshot of a fan’s comment that read, “What’s done in darkness will always come to light.”

Us Weekly exclusively revealed the cover of Collin’s debut book, In the Shadow of Eight: Surviving the Reality of My Childhood, earlier this month. The memoir is set to look back on Collin’s childhood as a young reality TV star and his troubled relationship with Kate.

Related: Collin Gosselin Breaks His Silence on Estrangement From Mom Kate Gosselin

Candid conversation. Collin Gosselin offered a rare glimpse at his dynamic with mom Kate Gosselin — and addressed a potential reconciliation. During an interview with Entertainment Tonight, which was published on Monday, November 28, the 18-year-old referred to his childhood relationship with Kate, now 47, as “worse than what you would say the average teenage […]

“This book is about truth, survival, resilience and finding my voice after years of being silenced,” Collin told Us. “If my story helps even one person feel less alone or gives them the courage to tell their own, then every difficult page was worth writing.”

Kate has not publicly addressed Collin’s book announcement. She has denied her son’s previous accusations about his upbringing.

Elsewhere on Saturday, Collin shared footage from a new YouTube interview where he asked Kate to complete a lie detector test.

“I did just say on social media that I would like to invite my mom to do a lie detector test,” Collin told “StrangeMcKnights” in an interview published on Saturday, referring to his social media invitation from September 2025. “I want to get into everything, and this is where we are both hooked up to lie detectors, heart monitors, everything. I mean, they test for everything and we can either ask each other questions or we can have an interviewer ask us questions.”

Related: Collin Gosselin Confirms He Isn’t on Speaking Terms With His Siblings

Advertisement

Kate and Jon Gosselin’s son Collin Gosselin is opening up about where he stands with his estranged siblings. “Unfortunately, it’s just not something that is easy for me to talk about,” Collin, 21, said in the Wednesday, August 20, TikTok live video, per People. “As you can see, I don’t post on Instagram, I don’t […]

Collin explained that he wants to take the test with Kate, who never publicly responded to his offer, because she allegedly has “been putting on this facade” on social media.

Thank You!

You have successfully subscribed.

Advertisement

Sharing the clip to his Instagram Stories, Collin claimed, “This was a year ago and I’ve been stood up by my mom … again.”

As for In the Shadow of Eight, Collin noted on “StrangeMcKnights” that he’s currently “in the process” of writing the book.

“I’m working with a lady who is … helping me to construct this a little bit better,” he acknowledged, seemingly confirming that he hired a ghostwriter. “Honestly, going over these events and putting them on paper and drafting them is almost therapeutic in a way.”

Editor’s note: The below contains spoilers for House of the Dragon Season 3 Episode 2.HBO’s House of the Dragon courted controversy and backlash from fans for the incredibly long wait between seasons, but the hugely positive reaction to Season 3’s debut episode is bringing people back in droves. The epic Battle of the Gullet alone has brought back the massive sense of scale that the Game of Thrones franchise is so famous and beloved for. Plus, the other major developments of Sheepstealer’s reign of terror and Aemond (Ewan Mitchell) being an all-around creep with his mother set the stage for what could be a very chaotic penultimate chapter.

By far the biggest curveball Season 3 threw in its premiere was the death of Queen Rhaenyra’s (Emma D’Arcy) oldest son and heir, Jacaerys (Harry Collett), who met an untimely end as the Battle of the Gullet concluded. Episode 2, which is arguably even better than the hour that preceded it, reveals Rhaenyra’s reaction to the aftermath, a moment that all but assures D’Arcy a seat in the next Emmys race.

Rhaenyra Can’t Accept Jace’s Death in ‘House of the Dragon’ Season 3 Episode 2

Episode 2 of House of the Dragon Season 3 picks up right where the premiere left off, with the bloody aftermath of the Battle of the Gullet feeling more like a defeat for Rhaenyra’s forces instead of a technical victory. Jace’s death and Corlys’ (Steve Toussaint) disappearance mean that the apparent victory comes at a high cost, and only time will tell what effect it will have on the ongoing war. Until then, Lady Baela Targaryen (Bethany Antonia) is tasked with bringing Jace’s body back to Dragonstone to inform Rhaenyra of what’s transpired.

It’s here where Emma D’Arcy absolutely steals the show with their most powerful scene in the entire series yet. When Rhaenyra first sees Jace’s lifeless body, her first thought is to scold her child for his brash and reckless behavior, completely in denial of the harsh reality right in front of her. It’s a truly heartbreaking and surprisingly grounded representation of grief, one rarely seen in high-fantasy shows like this, and D’Arcy’s career-best performance is truly one for the books. Even Rhaenyra’s rage for the Kingsguard that locked her in her room under Jace’s orders is surprisingly spared for the time being, as the queen is too heartbroken to actually do anything that resembles retribution.

Rhaenyra is the only one given time to grieve Jace, as Baela leaves Dragonstone rather quickly to join Allyn (Abubakar Salim) and Addam (Clinton Liberty) in their search for the Sea Snake. Thankfully, Corlys has not suffered the same fate as his beloved Rhaenys (Eve Best), as he is eventually found relatively unharmed. Corlys also decides to officially claim Allyn and Addam as his legitimate sons and heirs, effectively rejecting their status as bastards.

Aemond Potentially Gains a New Ally in ‘House of the Dragon’ Season 3 Episode 2

Despite the death of Rhaenyra’s oldest son (meaning the toll of “a son for a son” just went up), things are not looking good for the Greens, and Alicent (Olivia Cooke) knows it. King’s Landing is in a complete state of disarray; not only has Aegon II (Tom Glynn-Carney) abdicated the throne, but Aemond has also left on Vhagar to claim Harrenhal. With both of her sons away from the heart of Westeros, Alicent puts the plan she hatched with Rhaenyra into motion, conspiring with the Goldcloaks with the knowledge that they’re still loyal to Daemon (Matt Smith).

Speaking of Daemon, he is summoned back to Dragonstone, but not before he has an unfortunate conversation with his witch ally from Harenhal, Alys Rivers (Gayle Rankin). Alys expected Daemon to hand over Harrenhal to her once the war was over, but it seems Daemon is going against his word despite the visions she showed him, which may be a decision he lives to regret.

Meanwhile, Aemond decides to lead a solo assault on Harrenhal, with the mighty Vhagar eviscerating everything in sight as Ser Criston Cole (Fabien Frankel) assembles the troops. Aemond’s in no mood to take prisoners today, so as soon as he enters Harrenhal, he kills Ser Simon Strong (Simon Russell Beale) and his son, but manages to take a good stab to the gut. It’s highly unlikely this will be the end of Aemond as we know it, especially when he asks Alys to help him, teasing a new alliance. Meanwhile, Aegon and Lord Larys Strong (Matthew Needham) manage to escape custody to flee toward parts unknown.

Rhaenyra Claims the Iron Throne at a Cost in ‘House of the Dragon’ Season 3 Episode 2

Image via HBO

Despite still grieving from Jace’s death and desperate to discover the identity of Sheepstealer’s rider, Rhaenyra knows she can’t sacrifice the opportunity to take King’s Landing. Rhaenyra and Daemon practically waltz into the city on dragonback since every guard has been ordered to stand down by Alicent, bar a few loyalists. This includes the Kingsguard, but as soon as the Goldcloaks arrive to show their support for Daemon, they surrender. Thus, Rhaenyra finally takes the Iron Throne, doing so with a fraction of the casualties it took for her descendant, Daenerys (Emilia Clarke), to do the same in the flagship series.

Daemon begins to scour the castle for Aegon, not yet realizing that the “Usurper” has fled King’s Landing. However, Larys has left a surprising gift behind. It’s been a while since we’ve seen Otto Hightower (Rhys Ifans), but he’s evidently been imprisoned in the Red Keep ever since he was asked to step down as Hand of the King. With Aegon MIA, a public execution of his grandfather and a high-ranking member of his council is the next best thing, and Rhaenyra has to be the one to do it.

In another great and emotional scene, Rhaenyra executes Otto, and it couldn’t come at a worse time. Moments after she does, Alicent, who was trying to escape King’s Landing, is captured and brought before the new queen, with Otto’s headless body still lying on the floor. Alicent has stayed true to her word about giving Rhaenyra King’s Landing on a silver platter, but the execution of her father is bound to cause another rift between the friends.

New episodes of House of the Dragon Season 3 premiere Sundays on HBO and HBO Max.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Release Date

August 21, 2022

Network

HBO

Advertisement

Showrunner

George R.R. Martin

Advertisement

Directors

Clare Kilner, Geeta Patel

Writers

Advertisement

Gabe Fonseca

Advertisement

• 
• 

  Fabien Frankel

  Ser Criston Cole

  Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Pros & Cons

• Emma D’Arcy gives their best performance of the series so far.
• The Sea Snake lives!
• Rhaeneyra’s claiming of the Iron Throne happens in a unique and interesting way.
• Otto Hightower’s death is another great curveball for the next episode.

Editor’s note: The below interview contains spoilers for House of the Dragon Season 3 Episode 2.

We’re only two episodes into House of the Dragon Season 3, and already the show’s penultimate chapter is making some pretty definitive moves on the larger chessboard of Westeros. Rhaenyra (Emma D’Arcy) and Daemon (Matt Smith) have already descended on King’s Landing, but her efforts to decisively claim the Iron Throne are somewhat thwarted by the fact that Alicent (Olivia Cooke) has already redirected Aemond (Ewan Mitchell) towards Harrenhal instead. The Kinslayer’s arrival at the largest castle in Westeros is certainly memorable, not the least of which is because it culminates in him bleeding out on the floor at the feet of a silent Alys Rivers (Gayle Rankin).

Ahead of the Season 3 premiere, Collider had the opportunity to speak with several members of House of the Dragon‘s expansive ensemble, including Mitchell and Rankin, about their characters’ biggest moments over the first two episodes. Over the course of the interview, which you can watch above or read below, the two discuss that shocking premiere kiss between Aemond and Alicent, why Alys’ conversation with Daemon about Harrenhal feels like a “breakup,” why Season 2’s spookiest location is closer to the “White Lotus of Westeros” this season, and more.

COLLIDER: Ewan, I do have to bring up the kiss between Aemond and Alicent. I really think you and Olivia [Cooke] played that scene with so many layers to it. There’s a lot of complicated emotions at play. From a character standpoint, what do you think Aemond’s biggest motivation or feeling is in being the one to initiate that between them?

EWAN MITCHELL: I think for Aemond, in Episode 1 at least, he’s very much assumed his dominance as the king, at least on Team Green, and he wants to act accordingly. Alicent, maybe, is his queen, in a weird kind of way, in his mind, and he wants to assume the leadership role of this family and really take them all under his wing. He’s now the father figure. He’s the daddy. He’s the daddy now. I always think of Scum — have you seen that? — when Ray Winstone’s like, “I’m the daddy now!”

GAYLE RANKIN: [Laughs] I’m feeling it.

MITCHELL: And Aemond has such a skewed perception of love, how to show it, show affection, because he never really had it when he was growing up. I definitely think that kiss was probably a little too far.

‘House of the Dragon’s Gayle Rankin Explains Why Alys Makes a Play for Harrenhal

“I think she thought she could really trust him and that he saw her and saw what she needed and who she was…”

Image via HBO

Talking about characters that are trying to make power moves, Gayle, we see Alys put herself forward to take control of Harrenhal. She goes to Daemon for that, and they have a really interesting conversation. What do you think drives her to seek out Daemon specifically for that conversation about why she thinks she’s deserving to take over at this point?

RANKIN: I think their history from Season 2. The amount of time and the kind of depth that they traversed together, I think she’s like, “This is my friend. This is my friend, and I trust him,” which is maybe a crazy thing, but I think she really did and does.

But I did look at that scene, and I’m like, “It’s kind of a breakup.” I felt that way when we were working on it. It felt like a breakup because I think he disappoints her so badly, and I think she thought she could really trust him and that he saw her and saw what she needed and who she was, and why she deserves stewardship of this place — especially going into this war, in which it’s going to be so pivotal, and pivotal to him. I just think he misses the mark, and she’s like, “Okay, I see you.”

One of the things I love about the character, too, is [that] she has been our gateway point into bringing in some more of the magic in this world, bringing in some more of the strange forces that not all the characters quite understand. There is that scene between [Alys] and the dragonseeds where she maneuvers them away from waiting for Aemond. Do you think she’s somehow foreseen Aemond coming, and that’s how she knows to insert herself into manipulating them out of the picture?

RANKIN: Yeah, I do. The funny way of thinking about it is that I think she imagined that there was a Targaryen, a blonde, long-haired man on his way, and that maybe she thought it was Daemon, and nope. No. But someone’s coming. I think Alys doesn’t always have the exact details, but I think she has a lot of wisdom, and she knows she needs to make way for someone coming.

‘House of the Dragon’s Ewan Mitchell and Gayle Rankin Discuss Aemond and Alys’ First Meeting

“There is something like a sick meet-cute about it.”

The relationship between your characters is something that book fans are intimately familiar with and really excited to see play out this season. The way that the two finally meet, there’s almost a hilarity to it. There’s a drama to it. He’s literally bleeding out, and she doesn’t say a word. In that moment, what do you think their first impressions are of each other?

MITCHELL: Not a great one. I mean, it’s a hell of a way to make an entrance — Aemond killing everyone in the room, killing Simon Strong in front of you, and then meeting for the first time. Love at first sight.

RANKIN: Yeah. There is something like a sick meet-cute about it. It’s like the darkest, romantic, or complex meeting of matches in some ways. It’s like, what’s going to happen? It’s a huge cliffhanger, but there’s a charge between these two characters, certainly, and a curiosity. And I do think something clicks in about, “Are we keys to one another’s next step? How are we connected?” But it feels undeniable. I think that’s how she feels. There’s something undeniable about their connectedness.

Harrenhal, as a location, there’s a lot of spookiness around it. Season 2 really leaned into that almost Gothic horror in a lot of ways. In Season 3, can we anticipate more of that lingering horror, given the setting that these two are going to be connecting in?

MITCHELL: I think Harrenhal is quite horror-esque, but I also think it’s like the White Lotus of Westeros, where it is almost like a spa retreat. You go there, all of these toxins get drawn out of you, you confront your ghosts head-on. I mean, that’s what we saw with Daemon last season. You never come out the other side the same person.

RANKIN: And it kind of also adapts to your needs. It’s like the best kind of spa, where it really is catered to your needs, which I think is exciting. So, to answer your question, I would say absolutely, yes, because Harrenhal is such a huge character in itself, and it lives and breathes. But I don’t think it’s going to be anything that a lot of people expect.

New episodes of House of the Dragon Season 3 premiere Sundays on HBO and HBO Max.

Jennifer Lopez left little to the imagination as she took the stage at the Prime Video’s inaugural Obsessed Fest.

Lopez, 56, wowed attendees with a surprise musical performance, sporting a flesh-colored bodysuit adorned with beads and illustrations reminiscent of tattoo ink. “Tough Luck” was written on the bodice, while “God is nature” was spelled out on Lopez’s stockings. The pop star completed her ensemble with over-the-knee tan Jimmy Choo heeled boots.

For glam, Lopez wore her hair half-up-half-down with a smoky eye and rosy blush.

The “On the Floor” singer has long maintained an ever-youthful appearance, complete with enviable ab muscles.

“It’s no secret that fitness is a very important part of my life,” Lopez exclusively told Us Weekly in 2023. “I think there’s a positive correlation between exercise and mental health. When you find a good balance through determination and focus, we’re naturally pushing to be the best version of ourselves.”

According to Lopez, exercise is “a motivating factor” in her life.

Thank You!

You have successfully subscribed.

Advertisement

“I try to make good choices and balance my time,” she stated. “I’m always evolving and looking for things that keep me excited and motivated. I’m not afraid to challenge myself, so I’m open to pushing myself.”

Lopez, a mom of 18-year-old twins with ex-husband Marc Anthony, also enlisted renowned trainer Tracy Anderson to coordinate her workout routines.

“Working out with her, it’s kind of remarkable because she is so hardworking and she has such a good attitude,” Anderson, 51, told Us at the time of training with Lopez. “She’s got great energy. She’s positive and giving. She’s just an awesome woman. She shows up no matter what, she takes the time seriously, she knows her body, she wants to be herself. She knows that putting in the hard work to get her workout in is part of it.”

Editor’s note: The below interview contains spoilers for House of the Dragon Season 3 Episode 2.

Only two weeks into House of the Dragon‘s return, the penultimate season has already dropped more than a few shocking bombshells. While the premiere began with the devastating Battle of the Gullet, which saw several characters’ fates either sealed or ultimately left a mystery, Episode 2 affords Rhaenyra (Emma D’Arcy) little time to grieve the most personal loss of her eldest son, Jacaerys (Harry Collett), before she has to make a more decisive move on King’s Landing. Yet her arrival on dragonback, alongside Daemon (Matt Smith), isn’t met with the reception that she anticipated — and without Aegon (Tom Glynn-Carney) or Aemond (Ewan Mitchell) to dispatch, a secretly imprisoned Otto Hightower (Rhys Ifans) ends up taking their place, but the moment itself ultimately rings hollow, especially after Rhaenyra’s initial attempt to execute the former Hand of the King doesn’t go as planned, especially when Alicent (Olivia Cooke) enters the hall immediately afterward.

Ahead of the show’s premiere, Collider had the opportunity to speak with several House of the Dragon cast members about their characters’ most pivotal moments in the first two episodes, including D’Arcy and Smith. Over the course of the interview, which you can watch above or read below, the two discuss Rhaenyra’s reaction to Jace’s death (and why D’Arcy “dreaded” the scene the most out of any other moment in Season 3), that less-than-triumphant claiming of the Iron Throne in Episode 2, and whether Rhaenyra and Daemon’s marriage will face any other obstacles now that the show has scrapped Fire & Blood‘s Nettles plotline.

COLLIDER: Emma, I did speak with Harry [Collett] yesterday; obviously, Jace’s fate is set up in this initial episode, and it carries over into Episode 2. Rhaenyra’s reaction to being confronted with Jace’s body, starting with that denial… it feels like you watch her go through the grief process right there. How did you prepare for that scene and her exploring all those emotions in that moment?

EMMA D’ARCY: If I’m totally honest, it’s the only scene in the series that I sort of dreaded, and I think I probably was quite avoidant about it for a while. But how did I approach it? If I’m honest, the real sense of privilege of a recurring character and getting to be with the show for a number of years is having a honed operating system that you kind of trust, and that you can run these big events through, and to trust the output of.

Harry was totally beautiful on the day. I’m always struck by the extraordinary intuition of actors. We didn’t really speak in the morning, and he gave me kind of a wide berth, but we hadn’t talked about it in advance. Then at lunchtime, he found me very briefly and just said, “I didn’t know what would be best, but I just thought it could be some space.” He’s a beautifully, incredibly caring and deeply thinking person. So, I think sometimes — maybe this is just me, but I probably do require something sort of slightly sacred about those days, where you do just have to stay in it. You have to honor, I suppose, the size of the ask, and certainly Harry did that very, very beautifully. And I was extremely relieved when the day was over on that occasion.

‘House of the Dragon’s Emma D’Arcy Explains Why Rhaenyra Is Actually “Rudderless” on the Iron Throne

“I felt there was an opportunity in that scene to look at how power and the pursuit of power, the toll that that takes on identity, on the body, on one’s sense of self…”

Image via HBO

The second episode really feels like it’s just blow after blow — not just in terms of the grief, but also these unexpected turns that the story takes, especially with Rhaenyra and Daemon going to King’s Landing. It culminates in a scene that I wanted to ask both of you about, which is Rhaenyra reclaiming the throne. It’s a moment that feels anything but triumphant. I was curious about how the two of you wanted to approach not just Rhaenyra ascending the steps to the Iron Throne — it feels like she’s physically staggering to get there — but also the look that she shares with Daemon once she’s seated on the Iron Throne.

MATT SMITH: I’ve not seen it yet, so it’s interesting. I didn’t know there was a look there at the end. I mean, I remember doing it with you, obviously, but I think you could probably speak more to that.

D’ARCY: I haven’t seen it yet either, but I’m happy to hear your read, because I certainly thought there was a lot of scope to kind of rob that moment of its triumph, which, for my money, feels honest in a family where the political ambition and the personal, interpersonal strife are sort of part of the same thing. I felt there was an opportunity in that scene to look at how power and the pursuit of power, the toll that that takes on identity, on the body, on one’s sense of self, so that by the time she does finally claim that seat, so long dreamt of, she’s kind of rudderless in some way, and actually may be finally claiming the sort of thing that could actually cause an identity crisis. I think that’s kind of interesting.

Looking ahead to the rest of Season 3, one thing that book fans may have been surprised by is that the show is dispensing with the Nettles storyline. That was a point of strife for Daemon and Rhaenyra in that original story, but are there any threats to their dynamic, their relationship, that you can tease or set up this season? Despite what we saw at the end of Season 2, with Daemon publicly swearing fealty to Rhaenyra, are there obstacles that their marriage is going to face?

SMITH: Yeah, of course. Of course. There’s so much going on on a grander scale in terms of fronts of war, politically, and then the personal relationships that are sort of encroaching, encroaching, encroaching like a sort of swarm of flies. Then, amidst all of that, you’re trying to balance an actual relationship between yourself when you have two slightly different attitudes towards how to achieve the same goal.

D’ARCY: Absolutely.

SMITH: There’s a lot of wrestling that has to take place, I think. There are some big peaks and troughs that come in within that, without giving too much away.

New episodes of House of the Dragon Season 3 premiere Sundays on HBO and HBO Max.

By Chris Snellgrove
| Published 27 seconds ago

Right now, Supergirl’s box office is looking pretty grim. Things seemed bad enough when the movie was projected to earn, domestically, between $45-$55 million in the first weekend, which was less than half of what Superman earned last year ($125 million). However, those projections just kept shrinking as we got closer to the film’s official release. Now, it looks like the film will earn more like $40 million domestically, with Toy Story 5 absolutely trouncing it at the box office. At this point, Supergirl’s only real shot at box office success is if it, like Obsession, gets great word-of-mouth to get more butts in seats in the coming weeks.

Unfortunately, it looks like that’s just not going to happen. According to PostTrak (which surveys moviegoers on how they felt about a film immediately after they leave the theater), only 52 percent of those who saw Supergirl would definitely recommend that others see it. This effectively compounds the bad box office problems: only a few people showed up to see this blockbuster film, and of the ones who did turn out, only about half said they would enthusiastically recommend it. In the short-term, this is bad for Supergirl; in the long run, though, this may spell disaster for the DCU.

Really Bad Word Of Mouth

Considering that it’s a blockbuster summer tentpole and the second film of the DCU, Supergirl’s box office is looking grim. The movie was basically dead on arrival, and everyone is now conducting an autopsy on exactly what went wrong. Much of that is up for debate: many blame writer Ana Nogueira, while others blame DC Studios CEO James Gunn, who hired Nogueira and championed her script as one of the best he has ever seen. Of course, many blame Craig Gillespie, the director who transformed a beloved, buzzworthy comic (Supergirl: The Woman of Tomorrow) into a largely bland and forgettable romp through space.

Whoever deserves the most blame, one thing’s for sure: Supergirl has failed to impress about half of those who saw it. According to PostTrak, men made up 59 percent of the movie’s audience, and only 45 percent would definitely recommend that others see it. Women made up 41 percent of the audience, and 62 percent of them would definitely recommend that others see it. Crunch those numbers, and you are left with only 52 percent of those surveyed saying they would enthusiastically recommend that others watch Supergirl.

It Gets Even Worse

Supergirl getting such poor word of mouth helps to partially explain why the movie’s opening weekend projections just keep lowering. In fact, some estimate that it may earn closer to $35 million domestically in its opening weekend. Believe it or not, though, things get even worse when you compare Supergirl to other tights-and-flights films. For example, it had a CinemaScore rating of B-, which may not sound that bad. But that’s a lower rating than The Flash, which is widely considered the movie that killed the DCEU. It’s a lower rating than The Marvels, which is the first MCU film to actually lose money.

Speaking of money, The Marvels earned $47 million domestically in its opening weekend, which is at least $7 million more than Supergirl will earn. Heck, even Morbius, the internet’s favorite punchline of a movie, earned $39.1 million, making (believe it or not) a profit; Supergirl will be a loss for the studio. To put this even more in perspective, this latest DCU film is doing badly enough at the box office that it may not even earn $200 million worldwide by the time it leaves theaters. Put another way, Spider-Man: Brand New Day may earn more in its opening weekend than Supergirl does in its entire run!

Obviously, all of this spells bad news for Supergirl. But it may spell even worse news for the DCU as a whole. That’s because, among other things, this bad box office and poor word-of-mouth prove that audiences won’t necessarily show up for feature films featuring relatively minor characters. That means we might get a correspondingly terrible box office for Clayface, the movie about a Batman villain that is inexplicably coming out before Batman makes his DCU debut.

Plus, Supergirl writer Ana Nogueira is going to be writing the scripts for both Wonder Woman and Teen Titans. Unlike Supergirl, these characters are absolute fan-favorites, and in the hands of the right writer, they could be runaway successes for the DCU. But if the scripts for those films end up being as mediocre as Supergirl’s, they may similarly implode. Should those films flop, they may cause some serious collateral damage. Namely, they may destroy this cinematic universe as surely as The Flash destroyed the DCU, leaving Marvel with no real rival as the MCU reboots its entire universe with Avengers: Secret Wars.

Few shows are as enduring as Friends. The series ended more than 20 years ago, and it is still one of the most well-known sitcoms. Yet, that doesn’t mean everything in the series is perfect. In fact, there are a handful of storylines that fans generally dislike, from Rachel (Jennifer Aniston) and Joey’s (Matt LeBlanc) brief relationship to poorly-aged storyline where Ross (David Schwimmer) dates a student. However, as more information has come out about ideas that were thrown out, it’s become clear that the series narrowly avoided a twist that would have been worse than all of these, and it’s all thanks to Matthew Perry.

While Ross and Rachel are the big will-they-won’t-they couple, Monica (Courteney Cox) and Chandler’s (Perry) relationship is a highlight. Starting in Season 4, the couple becomes a constant in the series, but Friends planned on blowing it up by having Chandler cheat on Monica. Though this storyline went so far as to write the script and cast an actress, Matthew Perry refused to let it happen, saving his character and one of the show’s most beloved couples. Friends would look very different without Perry having stepped in to stop this mistake, proving how well he knew and cared about his character.

Matthew Perry Stopped ‘Friends’ from Giving Chandler an Infidelity Storyline

With so many seasons together, there are plenty of places that this idea could fit in. But as it happens, the storyline was going to appear fairly early in their relationship, in the two-part Season 5 finale, “The One in Vegas.” In the episode fans saw, Monica and Chandler spend much of the time arguing about her recent run-in with her ex, Richard (Tom Selleck), but they eventually make up and consider eloping. However, Lisa Cash, who was cast as the woman Chandler cheats with, revealed that the story they rehearsed was dramatically different. Following their argument, Chandler ordered room service and hit it off with the employee, which devolved into him cheating on Monica.

Yet, this story never reached the audience. Cash explained that the day before they were supposed to shoot this storyline in front of a live audience, she was approached with changes that wrote out her character in favor of the Monica and Chandler story that fans know. The changes were Perry’s idea. As Cash explains, “I was told that Perry went to the writers and said the audience would never forgive [Chandler] for cheating on Monica.” This bold move by Perry ultimately saved Monica and Chandler’s relationship. Meanwhile, Cash was given a different role, appearing as the fight attendant in Ross and Rachel’s storyline. This character may not be quite as memorable, yet it saved her from becoming a character fans dislike, like Emily (Helen Baxendale) or Kathy (Paget Brewster).

Matthew Perry Saved Chandler’s Character in ‘Friends’

This story not only demonstrates the influence Perry and the rest of the Friends cast held but also proves how well he knew what the character needed. He was absolutely right that the audience wouldn’t forgive Chandler if this storyline had gone through. It’s not that the character was perfect. After all, he makes mistakes throughout the series, like kissing Joey’s girl or treating Janice (Maggie Wheeler) terribly, but this would be too far. Having Chandler cheat on Monica would ruin his character, especially when the argument in this storyline is already ridiculous. Had Perry not stepped in, this storyline would have become a lasting stain on Chandler, making it harder to enjoy his sarcastic comic relief.

Yet Perry saved more than his own character, because this storyline would have destroyed Chandler and Monica’s relationship. Their romance may not have been planned from the beginning, but it is easily the best relationship in the series. At best, this would have been an interruption they needed to work through, resulting in an on-and-off relationship, which Friends already had in Ross and Rachel. Yet, even if it didn’t change their ending, this would have been unnecessary drama. The better choice is what the show actually ended up doing, which is easing the characters into moving in together finally, rather than becoming a setback. Ultimately, the change allowed Chandler to remain a lovable member of the group and maintained the relationship between the characters, which became a permanent fixture in the second half of the series. Without Perry’s dedication, Friends would be a very different show.

Friends is streaming on HBO Max in the U.S.

Advertisement

Release Date

Advertisement

1994 – 2004

Showrunner

Marta Kauffman

Advertisement

Directors

Kevin S. Bright, Gary Halvorson, Michael Lembeck, James Burrows, Gail Mancuso, Peter Bonerz, David Schwimmer, Robby Benson, Shelley Jensen, Terry Hughes, Dana De Vally Piazza, Alan Myerson, Pamela Fryman, Steve Zuckerman, Thomas Schlamme, Roger Christiansen, Sheldon Epps, Arlene Sanford, David Steinberg, Joe Regalbuto, Mary Kay Place, Paul Lazarus, Sam Simon, Todd Holland

Advertisement

Writers

Jeff Astrof, Mike Sikowitz, Brian Boyle, Patty Lin, Bill Lawrence, R. Lee Fleming Jr.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement