Entertainment
The Netflix Romance’s Most Game-Changing Moves Can’t Overcome the Show’s Worst Habit
Dearest gentle readers, it’s no surprise that in the roughly month-long hiatus between Parts 1 and 2 of Bridgerton Season 4, anticipation has only continued to grow. Netflix’s hit Regency romance series may have said goodbye to a few faces since its initial premiere almost six years ago(!), but as the show’s newly released episodes confirm, even actors who have since gone on to star in increasingly big projects (looking at you, Jonathan Bailey) are still willing to come back right when the show’s titular family is in their greatest hour of need. There’s not much that can be said about Bridgerton Season 4 Part 2 without venturing into serious spoiler territory, but plenty of eagle-eyed fans have already pieced together some clues from the steady trickle of trailers and images released in the gap between episodes. Suffice it to say, Bridgerton‘s return this week brings with it one of the series’ darkest turns yet, but it’s accompanied by the show embracing one of its worst narrative habits — effectively sidelining the main romance in favor of laying the foundation of what’s to come.
What Is ‘Bridgerton’ Season 4 Part 2 About?
In the aftermath of Benedict Bridgerton’s (Luke Thompson) proposal — to be his mistress, not his wife — Sophie Baek (Yerin Ha) finds herself wrestling with what accepting the gentleman’s offer would mean for her future, not just as a maid, but within society at large. Meanwhile, she’s still working for the family under Violet’s (Ruth Gemmill) roof, and the Bridgerton matriarch is starting to pick up on the vibes between her second son and her newest employee. Despite the two doing their best to embrace propriety, they still find themselves hopelessly drawn to each other, stealing forbidden touches behind closed doors. Although Sophie’s potential future as a mistress might be the best she could hope for, given her own station, the possibility of setting society’s tongues wagging isn’t the only thing she might have to worry about; her stepmother, Lady Araminta Gun (Katie Leung), has gotten word of where she’s been working, and won’t rest until she’s forced Sophie to face the consequences for absconding with those (admittedly paste) shoe clips of hers.
As for the rest of the Bridgerton family, Violet’s liaison with Marcus Anderson (Daniel Francis) continues to develop, although she, too, remains torn about whether she’s actually ready to become more than just a mother. With the support of her husband, Colin (Luke Newton), Penelope (Nicola Coughlan) considers whether it might be time for her to move on from writing her Lady Whistledown column for good. Eloise (Claudia Jessie) continues to clash with Hyacinth (Florence Hunt) over her little sister’s obsession with entering society, just as the last character anyone would ever expect steps back onto the scene with a new title and a desire to restore her disgraced reputation among the ton. Francesca (Hannah Dodd) is struggling to properly host the newest guest in her and John’s (Victor Alli) home: his vivacious, outgoing cousin Michaela Stirling (Masali Baduza). Oh, and Anthony (Bailey), Viscount Bridgerton, has a lot more on his plate to address than he planned upon his return home — like why his desk is littered with drawings of a mysterious woman in silver, and why Benedict is willing to put the family name at risk by taking a maid as his mistress. And that’s not even getting into the ongoing drama between the Queen (Golda Rosheuvel) and Lady Danbury (Adjoa Andoh) as the two longtime friends are forced to reckon with Agatha’s upcoming leave of absence.
‘Bridgerton’ Season 4 Part 2 Deepens the Romance Between Sophie and Benedict
Whenever Bridgerton does deign to check in on Sophie and Benedict’s ongoing romance, the moments viewers are treated to are definitely worthwhile. Their more intimate scenes in the back half of Season 4 simmer with a different kind of tension; ever since their steamy stairwell rendezvous, it’s not a question of if they’ll find the perfect opportunity to sneak off together, but when. The somewhat forbidden nature of their relationship, courtesy of Sophie’s current position in Benedict’s family home, constantly hovers over their interactions, making even the smallest shared glance between Ha and Thompson feel loaded with meaning. On a more intimate level, their love scenes in Part 2 skillfully walk a fine line between unapologetically steamy and deeply romantic. One only wishes there were more of them (but more on that later)!
What proves most compelling about Sophie and Benedict’s narrative in Season 4’s latter four episodes is that their push-and-pull isn’t rooted in whether their love exists — because it’s very clear how deeply these two have come to care about each other, despite Benedict not knowing that Sophie is his Lady in Silver — but rather in what the right decision for their future is. If Sophie agrees to become Benedict’s mistress, is she consigning herself to a future that’s lesser than what she’s truly worth? If Benedict actually makes Sophie his wife, will they be shunned and forced to live outside of society, risking his family’s name and the success of Hyacinth’s upcoming debut in the process?
Of course, any viewer familiar with Julia Quinn‘s An Offer From a Gentleman, the book that Bridgerton Season 4 adapts, already knows that the perfect legal solution will present itself, thereby paving the way for Sophie and Benedict to have their happily ever after. Before that happens, though, it’s lovely to see the Bridgertons defending Sophie against anyone who would threaten her livelihood or her reputation, ultimately serving as the family she never truly had. Along those same lines, the return of characters like Bailey’s Anthony Bridgerton (now sporting some handsomely rakish facial hair) allows for welcome reunion scenes that double as a reminder of the show’s strongest themes — and the fact that this family will always show up to support each other, no matter what.
‘Bridgerton’ Devotes Too Much Time to Setting Up Season 5’s Romance at the Cost of Season 4’s Love Story
While Sophie and Benedict’s romance in the last four episodes of Bridgerton Season 4 earns a handful of swoonworthy moments, it’s not the primary focus, and it points to a larger problem with the show’s overall narrative structure. In my review for Part 1, I mentioned that the show’s ever-expanding ensemble was threatening to push Bridgerton into overstuffed territory, with some characters earning little to no development compared to others, but what remained to be seen was whether the series would repeat Season 2’s biggest misstep — spending so much time establishing future romances that the present season’s love story pulls the short straw.
Unfortunately, Season 4 does fall into the very same trap. To a degree, some of this preparation is necessary, given that one of Bridgerton‘s upcoming romances begins in a very emotionally fraught place, and the show needs to afford that storyline the time and sensitivity it deserves. The issue arises when one episode is almost completely devoted to putting certain characters in place for a fifth season that may not even air for two more years, given Bridgerton‘s current release schedule. Perhaps if Season 4 had premiered in one batch of eight episodes, this choice wouldn’t have felt so flagrant, but combined with Netflix’s recent split-season release strategy, it’s hard not to weigh how much screentime is being subtracted from Sophie and Benedict’s romance. The story itself is handled as gently as one would hope, and it does result in a stunningly brilliant performance from Hannah Dodd, as Francesca is forced to navigate an unimaginable future for herself. Still, even a 10-episode order for Season 4, rather than eight, might have helped Bridgerton strike a balance between sowing enough seeds for future seasons and properly devoting attention to one of its boldest romances in the present.
Every Major ‘Bridgerton’ Couple, Ranked
How does Benophie compare to the other iconic ‘Bridgerton’ pairings?
There’s also a sense that, as much as Bridgerton aims to push new boundaries and redefine what romance can look like within the strict rules of Regency-era society, it still frustratingly insists on maintaining the status quo for certain characters. In Season 4 Part 1, Violet’s arc as a widow and mother rediscovering her sexuality leads to an irresistible love-after-loss romance, but Part 2 results in a disappointing about-face for that storyline, especially when so much time was spent building up to it — and over multiple shows, to boot. The drama between the Queen and Lady Danbury is stretched to the thinnest and most repetitive version of itself right up to the finale, and others like Eloise or, frankly, either of the Mondriches (Martins Imhangbe and Emma Naomi) have very little to do within the overall scope of Season 4, given the show’s already overloaded cast.
There’s no question that the future of Bridgerton is assured; it’s already been confirmed to return for a fifth and sixth season, and any Bridgerton romances beyond that are likely still being plotted out. Season 4 also drops plenty of intriguing breadcrumbs that could breathe new energy into the series’ ongoing drama, including a late-stage twist for Lady Whistledown that has even Penelope reeling in shock and the surprise reemergence of a society pariah that genuinely prompted a gasp from this reviewer. Four seasons in, however, Bridgerton still hasn’t really figured out how to solve its worst habit, which the biggest constraints of streaming television render even more glaring. Sophie and Benedict’s romance is sprinkled with just enough steam and swoon to satisfy, but it should’ve been given ample room to utterly sparkle.
- Release Date
-
December 22, 2020
- Network
-
Netflix
- Directors
-
Tom Verica, Tricia Brock, Alex Pillai, Alrick Riley, Bille Woodruff, Cheryl Dunye, Sheree Folkson, Julie Anne Robinson
- Writers
-
Abby McDonald, Sarah L. Thompson, Daniel Robinson, Oliver Goldstick, Leila Cohan-Miccio, Azia Squire, Sarah Dollard, Eli Wilson Pelton, Janet Lin
-
Luke Thompson
Lady Violet Bridgerton
-
Ruth Gemmell
Benedict Bridgerton
- Yerin Ha remains an absolute gift to this series as Sophie’s Cinderella story reaches a satisfying ending.
- Familiar faces return, both to add stability and potentially shake up the narrative.
- Hannah Dodd delivers her best performance yet as Francesca navigates an unimaginable tragedy.
- An interesting twist surrounding Lady Whistledown infuses new energy into Penelope’s storyline.
- The last four episodes devote so much time to setting up Season 5’s love story at the cost of Season 4’s romance.
- Violet’s most promising storyline comes to a disappointing conclusion.
NBA YoungBoy has made it clear time and time again that he doesn’t play about his wife, Jazlyn Mychelle. The rapper recently returned to the internet with a warning for anyone mentioning her. While he was addressing that, fans on the other side of the net noticed that one of the tattoos on his head appears to have changed.
RELATED: Congrats! NBA YoungBoy & Jazlyn Mychelle Confirm Arrival Of Their Third Child With Sweet Delivery Room Footage (WATCH)
NBA YoungBoy Releases A PSA For Anyone Mentioning His Wife
On the heels of welcoming his 13th child, his third with his wife, NBA YoungBoy returned to the internet with a message. On Monday, the rapper took to Instagram with a warning for the haters while also showing love to his partner. He even shared a little relationship advice, letting the world know how married life has been treating him. He stated, “Stop that b**** a** s***! Stop hating on me. Keep Jazlyn’s name out your mouth.” He went on to say, “Why you think I’m so lit? Why you think I’m so motivated?”
YoungBoy made it clear that it all comes down to the partner you choose, telling people they better choose wisely.
Fans Notice That NBA YoungBoy’s “Jania” Tattoo Now Says “Jazlyn”
While some fans reacted to his message, others tuned in to his latest music video, ‘Another Episode.’ After its release, photos began circulating online, including a zoomed-in image of his face. Many noticed that one of his “Jania” tattoos, referencing his ex and the mother of one of his sons, now appears to say “Jazlyn.”
That left many on X in a frenzy, as some couldn’t believe their eyes. One person tweeted, “YB done replaced Jania’s name on his face, now I gotta really let my ex go. We in this together.” Another wrote, “This can’t be the end of Kentrell n Jania broooo.”
Some fans even referenced his lyric from his 2018 song “Changes,” where he raps, “No, I won’t never take her name off my face,” while reminiscing on the past. Still, others were happy to see him moving on. One user tweeted, “I’m so happy YB finally letting Jania go for 4life!!! Ik Jania happy tooo!! They both happy,” while another added, “Some people just have to get over YB and Jania.”
Jania previously addressed the chatter, urging fans to stop linking them romantically. She clarified that they’ve both moved on and only co-parent their son.
Social Media Reacts
Fans flooded the comments as they caught up on what NBA YoungBoy has been up to under The Shade Room Teens. Many loved his message about Jazlyn and said they’re happy to see him happy. As for the tattoo change, some didn’t know how to feel about it. A few admitted it’s hard to let go of him and Jania, while others said it’s time to move on since he’s married. Still, some fans aren’t ready to let it go just yet.
Instagram user @_queennnn_ wrote, “He defending her in public. I love it!”
Instagram user @igobywest added, “He’s really saying that he has a strong woman behind him and that’s the reason why he’s on top the way that he is and he feels amazing by the way 🔥”
While Instagram user @prettysituation_ wrote, “We really want yaya to understand he’s talkin about her”
Instagram user @noiglexus wrote, “they weird dab 😂 nih is married nb worried about Jania & yb nm ts so overrrr with 😂”
Instagram user @dazannanco_ added, “Welp they both did move on but what a timeeee tho”
While Instagram user @beautynlashed.bychas wrote, “’turning a bihh name into another one’ is sooo funny 😂😂😂
Instagram user @2buckzdgaf wrote, “Please be so fr, he’s not done with her. He just covering it to ‘respect’ his wife”
Instagram user @missingkyra added, “remove the other 4 tattoos so we can know you over her free”
While Instagram user @diana_twin534 wrote, “Say wat yall want, he Love his wife. Behind closed doors we don’t know wat the discussion is bout other Females. This is a message bout having a PARTNER.”
RELATED: The Girlies Are Fighting! Yaya Mayweather & Mellow Rackz Trade SHOTS After NBA YoungBoy’s Wife Shows Off Massive Ring Upgrade
What Do You Think Roomies?
Aaron Carter’s Mom
Claims Pop Star’s Ex Took Money From His Accounts
Melanie Martin Denies Allegation
Published
Aaron Carter’s mom is embroiled in a legal battle with the late pop star’s ex-fiancée, Melanie Martin, over what she claims are “illegal withdrawals” from his accounts … TMZ has learned.
Jane Schneck filed court docs opposing the final accounting for Aaron’s estate. She said she had various issues with the accounting report submitted by the court-appointed estate administrator.
In her filing, Jane said she believed Aaron’s name, image and likeness were worth more than listed. Aaron died on November 5, 2022.
Jane claims in early 2023, Melanie activated a website under her name to sell Aaron Carter-themed merchandise promoted with his name and likeness.
Jane claims that from November 7, 2022 — two days after Aaron’s death — to November 29, 2022, Melanie made “illegal withdrawals” totaling $24,530.57 from the singer’s accounts.
Aaron’s mom said she informed the estate admin about the matter and offered to buy the rights for her late son’s name and likeness for $30,000 … but she says her offer was summarily rejected over the phone by the estate administrator.
Jane claims the administrator is “partial to Melanie.”
Jane does say she believes “[Melanie] is a good mother to” Aaron’s son “and that she takes care of his daily physical and emotional needs.” She also says she “fully accepts her fair share of blame for creating the bad relationship between her and Melanie.” She adds she has not responded to alleged online attacks by Melanie for over a year.
Aaron’s mom said she does not wish any “legal harm” to Melanie and is “willing to believe that [Melanie] truly believed she was entitled to the money she took from the estate.”
Jane said her primary concern is safeguarding the financial future of her grandson, Prince. To ensure that, Jane wants to disqualify Melanie from acting as trustee of Prince’s trust and insists she should not be put in control of Aaron’s name and likeness rights.
Melanie tells TMZ … “Jane is uninformed on Aaron’s financials.” Melanie said Aaron gave her the LOVE business, “which he said on Instagram Live in the past.” She says the couple also had joint accounts.
A clip of Natalie Nunn clocking Claressa Shields‘ boxing moves during her match against Franchón Crews-Dezurn has internet users crackin’ UP.
RELATED: Claressa Shields Explains Heated Weigh-In With Franchón Crews-Dezurn As The Internet Reacts To Papoose Poppin’ Off (VIDEOS)
More On The Clip Of Natalie Nunn Clocking Claressa Shields’ Boxing Moves During Match Against Franchón Crews-Dezurn
On Monday, February 23, a user on X, formerly known as Twitter, took to the platform to share a clip from the stands at Shields’ match against Crews-Dezurn. Furthermore, the clip was captioned, “Natalie Nunn was taking notes at the Claressa shields fight…”
Additionally, it showed Nunn intently watching Shields while recording her jabs against Franchón Crews-Dezurn. The clip ultimately gained 1.7 million views and even caught a reaction from Shields, who appeared amused by Nunn.
Peep the clip and Claressa Shields’ reaction below.
Internet Users Are Crackin’ Up As Natalie Nunn Reacts
Internet users were crackin’ UP in reaction to the clip in TSR’s comment section.
Instagram user @okaynadj wrote, “She’s so unintentionally funny”
While Instagram user @josephhamir added, “THE LITTLE SMIRK YO I’M FRIED 😂 She’s plotting on somebody”
Instagram user @themeganbaca wrote, “😂 Me after saying ‘It ain’t really our business.’”
While Instagram user @__nosila added, “She gon show that to the baddies and tell them to act it out 😂”
Instagram user @bryce.x.o wrote, “Nat be so funny without even trying sometimes 😂😂😂”
While Instagram user @iamshabba_ added, “Not playing no games 🤣 nobody about to come for her at no more reunions 🤏🏾 lol”
Instagram user @thatboyflossy wrote, “She knows how to become a meme without even trying💀💀”
While Instagram user @stephonchristopher added, “Nat was locked tf in she must’ve put a bet in 😂😂”
Instagram user @thereallexi3_ wrote, “😂😂😂😂😂she put money on shields that’s all !!”
While Instagram user @_amberiaaaa added, “who tfuck recorded her 😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭”
Instagram user @msvictoriacherie wrote, “That takes 20+ years of training Natalie 😅”
Additionally, even Natalie Nunn stepped in to provide more context:
“😂😂😂😂 🤦🏽♀️ I had money on the fight”
Furthermore, Chrisean Rock even dropped a reaction to the clip:
“😂😂😂😂😂”
More On Claressa Shields’ Boxing Match Against Franchón Crews-Dezurn Match
As The Shade Room previously reported, Claressa Shields and Franchón Crews-Dezurn faced off at the Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, Michigan, on Sunday, February 22. Ultimately, Shields defended her heavyweight champion title and won the match at a reported 100-90 score.
Afterwards, Shields continued to make headlines as she and Papoose stepped out to celebrate her big win.
RELATED: Victory Night! Claressa Shields & Papoose Hit The Club After She Defeated Franchón Crews-Dezurn & Retained Heavyweight Title
What Do You Think Roomies?
Entertainment
“Wicked” star Kristin Chenoweth stunned by freaky “Wizard of Oz” connection in family tree: 'That's nuts'
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(jpeg)/kristin-chenoweth-wicked-billie-burke-wizard-of-oz-022526-da4d66ef867d44c0b9491ee6f0b0805c.jpg)
“That makes you believe in fate,” said “Finding Your Roots” host Henry Louis Gates Jr.
Ray J has sparked concern after sharing now-deleted messages about allegedly being targeted, accusing someone of “trying to kill” him.
RELATED: REPORT: Police Called To Ray J’s Los Angeles Home For Domestic Violence Incident Allegedly Involving Female Suspect
Ray J Shares Now-Deleted Messages About Allegedly Being Targeted, Accusing Someone Of “Trying To Kill Him”
On Tuesday, February 24, Ray J took to his Instagram account to share a now-deleted reel with his more than 2.9 million followers. Furthermore, Ray J shared a clip of his face close-up in the camera’s view. Over the clip were various text captions, which read:
“I DONT EVEN TALK ABOUT YOU!! – until you try to illegally bribe and bully me!! — now you trying to kill me! , drugging me and setting up traps!! – I have kids too.!! — SMH — my family from MISSISSIPPI! – YOU CAN NEVER TEAR DOWN THE BLACK CULTURE!! Or me!! Or my mom or my sister or GOD!!! … JAYZ LAWYER CANT HELP YOU H@E… I ready to WALK YOU DOWN H0E… YOUR LAWYER IS SCUM! —HE DON’T KNOW ME BUT I KNOW HE REPRESENTS LYERS AND CON ARTISTS LIKE YOU AND YOUR WHOLE GIG!!!”
Furthermore, the post also featured a message where Ray accused his target of stealing from him and his family.
Peep the concerning post and the caption he included alongside it below.
Ray J’s Messages Sparked Concern
Social media users shared concern for the singer in TSR’s comment section.
Instagram user @twoshotsofadri wrote, “We have a mental health crisis in this country…”
While Instagram user @phenixrisin added, “The sad part is something is really going on and everybody making jokes.”
Instagram user @itskitsovain wrote, “I think we need Cam Newton to decode this.”
While Instagram user @igobyp.harris added, “He done gave me a headache trying to decipher that message”
Instagram user @jazz_didit_ wrote, “Kardashians? 🧐”
While Instagram user @impressive__t added, “He been around Ye or something???”
Instagram user @vvsyoni wrote, “lordt I knew this was about Kim K, even before I saw ‘canye’ 😭”
While Instagram user @body_n_building added, “@herxaurax all I can see is ‘truth can’t be altered. Alex Spel is a p*sy sucker __ is a thief…I got _____… ye won’t even support me … my momma and b got my back tho”
Instagram user @phillysmostwnted wrote, “I believe him !! But yall quick to call ppl crazy”
While Instagram user @greeneyedgyrl added, “Why is he so obsessed with KimK & her family? It’s been OVER 20 years since they dated!!!”
Instagram user @kennethmangalindan wrote, “He speaking hieroglyphics.”
While Instagram user @king.barbero added, “If he’s in trouble, he’s the cause.. I can almost promise you that.. sad.”
Instagram user @pusha.dee wrote, “Crazy because it actually makes sense. It’s a reason he prob wrote it like this….”
To note, about an hour after Ray shared the post, he wrote in his comment section:
“My momma said chill – I ain’t even started yet”
His Now-Deleted Messages About Allegedly Being Targeted & Accusing Someone Of “Trying To Kill Him” Arrived Amid Reports Regarding Kris Jenner
It remains unclear who Ray J’s message was intended for. However, it arrived amid new reports regarding Kris Jenner. As The Shade Room previously reported, in October 2025, Kim Kardashian and Kris Jenner hit the singer with a lawsuit. This was for his appearance on TMZ in May of that year, where he said he would believe it if the Kardashians were “being charged for racketeering.”
The following month, Ray J reportedly hit Kim Kardashian and her mother with his own lawsuit, per The Shade Room. He reportedly accused them of violating a previous order forbidding them from speaking about his and Kardashian’s 2003 NSFW tape. Ray reportedly argued that he’s owed $1 million in damages and seemingly wanted to reiterate that the tape was not leaked against Kardashian’s will.
Earlier this week, TMZ reported that Jenner updated her and Kardashian’s defamation suit against Ray with a declaration page accusing Ray of harassment.
“To say that my daughter and I are being pursued for doing something worse than Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs, is a horrific lie,” Jenner reportedly wrote in the declaration. “… [o]ver the past two decades, I have had to watch [Ray J] publicly terrorize my daughter by continually talking, and lying, about her in the press to try and keep himself relevant.”
Jenner reportedly argued that Ray’s actions have caused Kardashian emotional distress.
“My family is of the utmost importance to me. It is deeply painful to watch my daughter experience the stress brought upon her by [Ray J], and her feelings of hopelessness and his harassment will never end,” she reportedly added.
As for herself, Jenner reportedly wrote that she is “deeply angered, insulted, and shaken by the accusations,” and fears Ray’s statements will harm her businesses.
“I took this step because I could no longer bear [Ray J’s] campaign of harassment against my daughter and my family or to watch my daughter cry again over the lies he’s painted about us,” she noted.
TMZ reports that earlier this month, Kardashian also filed her own declaration, stating that she fears her dream of becoming a lawyer will be ruined by the singer.
RELATED: Whew, Chile! Ray J Fires Back In New Lawsuit Against Kim Kardashian & Kris Jenner Over NSFW Tape
What Do You Think Roomies?
TMZ locked in this week’s “Cheek of the Week” at first glance — these Paige VanZant hot bum shots will make you dance! Paige busted onto the scene fighting in the UFC over a decade ago … She’s definitely known for her fighting style and…
Entertainment
Jimmy Kimmel slams Donald Trump's 'angry' State of the Union address: 'We have a nut job, wannabe king'
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(jpeg)/Donald-Trump-Jimmy-Kimmel-022526-4960d96352874d1daa860794bbd4a5e8.jpg)
The comedian compared Trump’s speech to a “Christmas message from the Grinch.”
Mercury In Retrograde
SURVIVAL KIT
Published
TMZ may collect a share of sales or other compensation from links on this page.
Missed flights, mixed signals and mysterious mood swings got you down? You could take responsibility … or you could blame Mercury in retrograde like everybody else.
Instead of spiraling (or making any major life decisions) consider grounding yourself with these astrology-approved essentials.
From a guided astrology workbook to decode your chart all the way to crystals that promise to protect your peace, these picks are here to help you survive the cosmic chaos with your dignity intact.
Sorry I Can’t, Mercury is in Retrograde
If you keep track of planetary cycles like it’s your job or have ever canceled a date because of their astrological sign, then this Sorry I Can’t, Mercury is in Retrograde T-Shirt is for you.
Let your shirt do all the talking when your friends and family try to make plans these next few weeks. After all, it’s really in everyone’s best interest.
Guided Astrology Workbook
Brush up on your astrology knowledge with this Guided Astrology Workbook. This in-depth guide provides you with step-by-step instructions on how to create your own birth chart AKA a snapshot of the positions of the planets at the moment you were born.
It dives into the essential facets of astrology and includes interactive exercises to help you break down the detailed information in your birth chart. Whether you’re an astrology newbie or a pro, this book will help you achieve your highest potential.
If you’re just getting into crystals, this 7 Chakra Healing Crystals Set is the perfect starting point. This curated toolkit for energy alignment includes generously sized raw stones of exceptional quality and vibrant energy that are each chosen to work in harmony.
Amplify your intentions, calm the mind, unlock creativity, and feel grounded, all with one cohesive set. Plus, it comes with a comprehensive guidebook that serves as your roadmap to start your spiritual journey.
Healing Crystal Zodiac Candles
Elevate your spiritual practices with these Healing Crystal Zodiac Candles. Crafted with crystals unique to your star sign, each candle is designed to empower and uplift your strongest qualities.
Perfect for meditation, prayer, energy healing, manifestation, self-care or any other kind of astrology rituals, these candles are perfect for anyone seeking to enhance their spiritual journey or add harmony to their home decor.
Aromatherapy Diffuser & Essential Oils Set
Amid the chaos of Mercury in retrograde, fill your home with healing scents thanks to this Aromatherapy Diffuser & Essential Oils Set.
Craft the ideal atmosphere with any of the included oils, from lavender to lemongrass, or anything from your personal collection to promote grounding, clear communication, and emotional balance.
And with up to 10 hours of continuous operation, you’ll be set for the moments you really need it.
Natural Crystal Healing Necklace
Bring your favorite crystal with you wherever you go. Whether you’re looking for protection, stress relief or positive energy, there’s sure to be a Natural Crystal Healing Necklace that’ll match your vibe.
It comes with an e-book to help guide you on your crystal journey as well as a storage bag to make sure your crystal is always cared for.
Uncrossing Spiritual Bath Salts
Rid yourself of negative energy while Mercury is in retrograde with these Uncrossing Spiritual Bath Salts. Handmade with Dead Sea salt, hyssop, rue, peppermint and a variety of other herbs and oils, you can enjoy these bath salts while soaking in the tub or for a full spiritual bath. Designed for purification and banishing rituals and practices, it’s made with intention and is ready to help you on your spiritual journey.
Sign up for Amazon Prime to get the best deals!
All prices subject to change.
Alongside the steady rise of streaming, fantasy television has also beautifully evolved, allowing countless stories to go beyond the restrictions of even network television. With this new freedom, fantasy TV has been able to deliver richer character development, deeper world-building, and much more cohesive storytelling. There exists quite a stunning list of fantasy epics that, whether through tightly constructed limited-series arcs or sprawling narratives, feel specifically designed for this thriving era of streaming.
Amazing fantasy watches, such as the character-focused show Merlin, with its enthralling slow-burning arcs of wizardry and friendship, and the creature-driven series Grimm, which is thrillingly ideal for one sitting, are two perfect streaming viewing experiences. Compiled on this list of fantasy shows that embody this recent era of masterful television—series that not only see success on streaming platforms, but feel as though they were built for them from the very beginning.
1
‘Lucifer’ (2016–2021)
This once network television show, and now a streaming success, gradually became a true bingeworthy character study. Lucifer follows the Devil, Lucifer Morningstar (Tom Ellis), who is bored with his position in hell, and goes to Los Angeles to run a nightclub, only to unexpectedly become a police consultant.
Lucifer may have begun as a beloved network television series, but once cancelled and picked up by Netflix, the show instantly thrived on the streaming platform. The series was able to transfer its underrated TV success and expand it, which quickly proved that its character arcs and overall story were best experienced through continuous watches. Streaming allowed the show’s deeper storylines to truly shine, working so much better for on-demand watching. Lucifer also received a higher budget, fully embracing its streaming-era revival on Netflix, making it feel so much more like a cinematic experience that proved to be better suited for binge-watching.
2
‘Lost Girl’ (2010–2016)
Lost Girl is an underrated good time that deserves a lot more attention and credit for its very bingeworthy storytelling that matches this vast streaming era quite nicely. The Canadian series centers on the butt-kicking succubus Bo (Anna Silk) as she navigates life as a creature who feeds on human sexual energy while trying to discover her origins.
Lost Girl isn’t the best hit fantasy series there is, but truthfully, it is one of the most addictive watches to ever exist. It’s perfect for a binge bender, as its serialized narrative with season arcs featuring missing artifacts, and ending Fae wars makes it ideal for continuous viewing. Lost Girl is the perfect mesh of long-term mysteries and standalone monster installments that is capable of keeping audiences thoroughly invested even when watching multiple episodes back-to-back, cementing its place among the rest of the series that feel practically built for streaming.
3
‘Avatar: The Last Airbender’ (2005–2008)
Though originally aired weekly, Avatar: The Last Airbender proves to be much more suited for the streaming shelf. The fantasy animated series is set in a world where most of the Earth’s population wields one of the four elements and follows Aang (Zach Tyler Eisen)—the last Airbender—and his friends’ journey to save the world from the tyrannical force known as the Fire Nation.
Avatar: The Last Airbender may have been an amazing weekly experience back when it was on air, but with it now sitting on streaming platforms, the series is thriving like never before. While streaming may not have been as prominent during its release, Avatar: The Last Airbender, so iconicly ahead of its time, feels like it was specifically built for modern-day streaming platforms. The show is much better taken in with its new bingable form. Not only does the story seem more cohesive, but it also showcases the growth of its characters and overarching narrative, making it an overall more satisfying viewing experience. Avatar: The Last Airbender‘s success on streaming platforms only proves that it was always meant for binge-watching during this addictive streaming era, despite its network TV origins.
4
‘Merlin’ (2008–2012)
Merlin is a medieval fantasy reimagining of the Arthurian legend that hosts amazing character development that makes it feel perfectly suited for this era of streaming. The series focuses on a young Merlin’s (Colin Morgan) arrival in Camelot and his sometimes awkward but always touching friendship with Prince Arthur (Bradley James). At the same time, Merlin must make sure he hides an important part of himself from Arthur, all the while discovering an enchanting destiny that demands he protect the dashing prince.
Merlin is a truly magical watch. Despite its 2008 debut, the series’ exploration of friendship and destiny through a complex bond between a forbidden sorcerer and a prince makes for addictive TV no matter the year. The show has quite a few streaming-friendly aspects to it that inspire viewers to watch continuously. With intensely building episodes and high-stakes cliffhangers, Merlin is a steady encouragement for binge-watching. The show’s consistent tone of adventure and humor makes it easy to watch multiple episodes back-to-back, making Merlin the perfect fantasy great for this list of series built for streaming.
5
‘Once Upon a Time’ (2011–2018)
This modern twist on fairytales is often hailed as a fantasy gem that sparked an entire new era for network television. Once Upon a Time centers on bail bondswoman Emma Swan (Jennifer Morrison), who finds herself in the town of Storybrooke, where fairy tale characters unknowingly live as simple, ordinary citizens of modern time without knowing their true identities due to a powerful curse.
Once Upon a Time‘s serialized nature, featuring family heritage reveals and ongoing curse mysteries, makes it the ideal binge-watch. Its interconnected stories and layered timelines make it downright perfect for back-to-back viewing. The story itself was designed as an ongoing epic, with each season introducing new worlds and more dastardly villains. Each episode frequently ends on an extremely dramatic note, prompting viewers to addictively search for more. While the series debuted on network television, Once Upon a Time‘s complex story threads that pick up in subsequent episodes without requiring any breaks make it perfect for streaming consumption.
6
‘Grimm’ (2011–2017)
Grimm is a dark crime drama with a fantasy twist that explores folklore and fairytales in an extremely captivating way. The show follows Detective Nick Burkhardt (David Giuntoli), who discovers that he is a “Grimm,” an individual destined to keep the balance between humanity and the mythological creatures known as Wesen.
With a blend of ongoing mythology and case-of-the-week TV good times, Grimm delivers a watch that truly thrives in a binge format. The show’s deeper lore and character arcs are free to fully unfold in a way that perfectly aligns with what is often seen in modern streaming storytelling. Grimm‘s hybrid approach to its storytelling allows for both casual viewership of individual episodes and also rewards marathon fans following the big picture, solidifying the series as a consistently dark and serialized fantasy gem that is perfect for consecutive episode viewing on demand platforms.
7
‘Charmed’ (1998–2006)
This defining witchy series fantastically blends growing supernatural mythology with captivating episodic storytelling. The ’90s fantasy series icon, Charmed, focuses on three sisters—Prue (Shannen Doherty), Piper (Holly Marie Combs), and Phoebe (Alyssa Milano) Halliwell—as they make the discovery that they’re powerful good witches who are destined to fight the forces of evil as “The Charmed Ones.”
The supernatural hit series, Charmed, is a classic that is a seamless fit for modern streaming platforms. The series’ balance of overarching plots and standalone episodes makes for some pretty bingeworthy TV. Continuous viewing of the iconic drama is only rewarded, as viewers are able to fully experience the story’s evolving power-ups and interesting lore that aligns quite well with today’s streaming-friendly format. Charmed may have had network beginnings, but it stands as a fantasy series that truly feels as if it were built perfectly for on-demand success.
8
‘Sleepy Hollow’ (2013–2017)
Sleepy Hollow is the reimagining of a classic legend that mixes mythology and history, delivering to viewers a truly captivating supernatural thriller. The time-bending fantasy follows Ichabod Crane (Tom Mison), a Revolutionary War soldier, who awakens in present-day Sleepy Hollow, NY, after mysteriously surviving execution centuries ago.
With evolving mythologies and serialized mysteries, Sleepy Hollow feels so much more than its network roots; in fact, it feels quite ideal for streaming platforms. Even with a network-level budget, the show’s gothic style and action sequences of magic fights and creature effects were still realized quite nicely. During its time on air on Fox, Sleepy Hollow would sometimes use mid-season breaks, which in the streaming era translates into a continuous flow that makes it easy to invest in watching multiple episodes, marking it as a fantasy watch ideal for streaming audiences.
Sleepy Hollow
- Release Date
-
2013 – 2017-00-00
- Network
-
FOX
- Showrunner
-
Mark Goffman, Clifton Campbell
- Writers
-
Phillip Iscove, Alex Kurtzman, Roberto Orci, Len Wiseman
By Chris Snellgrove
| Published
As a franchise, Star Trek has always faced an interesting creative paradox: it must balance the human storytelling of the present day with the science of the far future. Some writers prefer stories that are driven by hard science, and some prefer those driven by emotion. In The Original Series, these extremes were represented by Spock (who had to explain the cold logic of what was going on) and Dr. McCoy (who constantly espoused the values of passion and emotion).
In the Golden Age of Star Trek, the technical side of storytelling was represented by “technobabble,” the catch-all term for the confusing blather of scientific and technological terms often blurted out by characters like Data. Many fans (even those who prefer stories more in the vein of traditional science fiction) came to hate technobabble because it felt forced and out of place, often disrupting otherwise excellent stories. One of the best examples of this is the Next Generation episode “Pen Pals,” which one iconic Trek director thought was ruined by technobabble.
Reach Out And Touch Someone
In case you’ve forgotten, “Pen Pals” is the episode where Data makes contact with an alien child on an underdeveloped world. He discovers that her world is in danger and implores Captain Picard to violate the Prime Directive in order to save her people. Picard reluctantly does so, and Dr. Pulaski mind-wipes the alien kiddo to prevent her from remembering that time her entire planet was saved by aliens with what she would consider godlike abilities.
The episode was directed by Winrich Kolbe, a Star Trek icon (he dated Kate Mulgrew, for God’s sake!) who directed some of the best episodes of the franchise. For TNG, this includes such bangers as “Darmok” and “All Good Things…”, the series finale. On DS9, he directed some personal favorites, including “Through the Looking Glass” and “The Siege of AR-558.” For Voyager, he directed the premiere episode “Caretaker” and the ambitious two-parter, “Basics.”
They Blinded Us With Science
As his resume indicates, few people understand Trek like Kolbe, someone who quickly developed an instinct for what can make or break a potentially excellent episode. In an interview with The Official Star Trek Magazine, he described “Pen Pals” as “one of those cases where I felt the original script… the first draft, was very, very nice. It was a very personal story.”
He said it was a personal story, so what changed? Winrich Kolbe claims that someone very high up (he couldn’t remember if it was Rick Berman or Gene Roddenberry) “felt we needed more of a technical surrounding story.” The storytelling change was swift: “Suddenly, out went more and more of the character issue, and in came more and more tech talk.”
Putting Star Trek Under The Microscope
Kolbe wasn’t a fan of adding so much technobabble to a very personal story, and he didn’t mince words when discussing what went wrong with “Pen Pals.” He called the infusion of the distracting space lingo “a problem” and said that he disagreed with the prevailing staff assessment “that more technical jargon enhances the stories.” The director believes “these stories should be left alone” and summarized his thoughts on this particular episode quite bluntly: “I think ‘Pen Pals’ could have been a better show than it was.”
Most fans would agree with this assessment; after all, “Pen Pals” is a good episode that falls far short of its potential. Even controversial showrunner Maurice Hurley agrees. According to Captains’ Logs: The Unauthorized Complete Trek Voyages, he said the script “kind of got muddled around, mucked up and lost its purity.” He ultimately decided that the finished episode “worked okay,” but he generally echoes Kolbe’s argument that the jargon-ridden additions to this script made the episode far worse than it should have been.
Technobabble Never Left The Franchise
Sadly, the rest of the writing staff didn’t see it that way: “technobabble” became an ever-present feature in the franchise, one that was often used as a writing crutch to explain how our heroes suddenly turn the tables on their enemy. It could often be grating for fans whenever an episode of The Next Generation or Voyager ground to a halt so someone could explain the plot in the most confusing way.
Still, the scientifically accurate (more or less) technobabble of Old Trek will always be preferable to the breezy stupidity of NuTrek, where a single supernova can threaten the entire galaxy!
Fans React After He Apparently Changes Tattoo
Lorry driver pleads guilty after mum killed by ‘plainly lethal’ crane equipment
‘More in Love Every Day’
-
Video6 days agoXRP News: XRP Just Entered a New Phase (Almost Nobody Noticed)
-
Politics4 days agoBaftas 2026: Awards Nominations, Presenters And Performers
-
Fashion6 days agoWeekend Open Thread: Boden – Corporette.com
-
Sports3 days agoWomen’s college basketball rankings: Iowa reenters top 10, Auriemma makes history
-
Politics3 days agoNick Reiner Enters Plea In Deaths Of Parents Rob And Michele
-
Crypto World2 days agoXRP price enters “dead zone” as Binance leverage hits lows
-
Business4 days agoMattel’s American Girl brand turns 40, dolls enter a new era
-
Business4 days agoLaw enforcement kills armed man seeking to enter Trump’s Mar-a-Lago resort, officials say
-
Tech2 days agoUnsurprisingly, Apple's board gets what it wants in 2026 shareholder meeting
-
Business2 days agoTrue Citrus debuts functional drink mix collection
-
NewsBeat11 hours agoManchester Central Mosque issues statement as it imposes new measures ‘with immediate effect’ after armed men enter
-
NewsBeat9 hours agoCuba says its forces have killed four on US-registered speedboat | World News
-
NewsBeat3 days ago‘Hourly’ method from gastroenterologist ‘helps reduce air travel bloating’
-
Tech4 days agoAnthropic-Backed Group Enters NY-12 AI PAC Fight
-
NewsBeat4 days agoArmed man killed after entering secure perimeter of Mar-a-Lago, Secret Service says
-
Politics4 days agoMaine has a long track record of electing moderates. Enter Graham Platner.
-
Business5 hours agoDiscord Pushes Implementation of Global Age Checks to Second Half of 2026
-
NewsBeat1 day agoPolice latest as search for missing woman enters day nine
-
Crypto World1 day agoEntering new markets without increasing payment costs
-
Sports3 days ago2026 NFL mock draft: WRs fly off the board in first round entering combine week