Science fiction is a broad spectrum of material that can include everything from aliens and robots to alternate worlds and time travel. In many ways, it’s just fantasy with some technical mumbo-jumbo that attempts to ground the world in reality rather than magic. Sometimes, sci-fi gets really technical by using real-world science, but no matter how you slice it, there’s still something fantastical about the end result. Perhaps that’s why we love binging sci-fi television shows, as it helps us further immerse ourselves in that world.
While many sci-fi shows are memorable from the very start, some just get better with age. Looking beyond some of the dated special effects and terminology, the very best science fiction television continues to hit home years, even decades, later. This is the case with these sci-fi TV shows that we’ve put together — shows that you’ll be pleasantly surprised are even more fun with every rewatch.
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‘Fringe’ (2008–2013)
The Fringe Division of the FBI—Astrid Fairnsworth (Jasika Nicole), Walter Bishop (John Noble), Olivia Dunham (Anna Torv), and Peter Bishop (Joshua Jackson)—emerge from the side door of a van in ‘Fringe’ Season 5.Image via FOX
There was perhaps no sci-fi drama more bold and creative to come out of the early 2000s than Fringe. What began as a simple sci-fi-flavored procedural where the FBI would investigate a pattern full of fringe-science-related cases quickly grew into a series that dealt with everything from parallel worlds, time travel, robotic shape-shifters, and a post-apocalyptic future. During its five seasons, the familiar faces at Fringe Division never led us astray.
Co-created by J. J. Abrams, Fringe was often ahead of its time regarding the pseudo-scientific conversations it was having, dealing in parallel universes and timelines long before the multiverse became mainstream. Not only does the show become more relevant and compelling with every watch, but the relationship between Olivia (Anna Torv) and Peter (Joshua Jackson) — as well as Walter’s (John Noble) overall development — becomes so much clearer in hindsight. Plus, it’s just a great show.
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‘Warehouse 13’ (2009–2014)
Pete Lattimer (Eddie McClintock), Artie Nielson (Saul Rubinek), and Myka Bering (Joanne Kelly) look at the Farnsworth on ‘Warehouse 13’Image via SYFY
For science fiction that isn’t afraid to lean into the campy nature of the genre,Warehouse 13 is one of the best. A SyFy original that exists in the same shared universe as Alphasand Eureka, the series primarily follows two U.S. Secret Service agents as they join the title warehouse in finding mythical artifacts that start making trouble around the globe. While this one does teeter the line between sci-fi and fantasy, it’s a fun show that definitely gets better with age.
Over five seasons, Warehouse 13 leans more into humor and levity as Pete (Eddie McClintock) and Myka (Joanne Kelly) are thrown into each zany new case. In many ways, this show gets better each rewatch simply because it’s a comfort show. Its intent isn’t to bend your mind or push you to near-insanity trying to figure it all ou, it’s simply fun, sci-fi entertainment that pulls you into a fascinating world full of lovable characters.
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‘Stargate Atlantis’ (2004–2009)
Jason Momoa as Ronon Dex in ‘Stargate Atlantis’Image via SYFY
The first spin-off of the larger Stargate television franchise, Stargate Atlantis sends the members of the Atlantis expedition to the neighboring Pegasus Galaxy to explore new worlds. Based in the famed “Lost City” itself, the Atlantis crew makes quick enemies with the Wraith, an ancient race of vampiric aliens who drain the life from those in their path. As they seek to free the galaxy from their terror, Major John Sheppard (Joe Flanigan) and the rest of the team find themselves in heaps of trouble.
Stargate Atlantis is another sci-fi wonder that lasted five seasons on SyFy, continually dazzling viewers with its creative new ways to put the Atlantis crew in peril. Of course, as you continue to revisit the series, you’ll fall more in love with its charming cast and unique take on the Stargate brand. You’ll especially have fun revisiting one of Jason Mamoa’s first notable television roles, long before he would return to another version of Atlantis in Aquaman.
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‘Falling Skies’ (2011–2015)
Tom Mason (Noah Wyle) boards an alien ship in ‘Falling Skies’Image via TNT
For fans who watched Falling Skies every summer when it aired in the early 2010s, you’ll remember that this TNT drama was a blast from the beginning. Produced by Steven Spielberg and starring Noah Wyle as history professor-turned-militia leader Tom Mason, the show followed a group of Boston-based rebels who stand against a horde of alien invaders who took over the planet six months prior. Even better, plotlines often mirrored American (and later world) history, albeit with an extraterrestrial bent.
For five seasons, the folks in the 2nd Mass battled the invading Espheni in hopes of restoring their old world. Falling Skies is one that you may not have returned to in a while, but you won’t regret it if you do. The show diligently unveils the truth about the alien invaders in question as the characters themselves are forced to shed their old ways to adapt to this new interstellar world. By the time the series ends, you’ll be so amped up that you may just want to binge it again.
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‘Star Trek: The Next Generation’ (1987–1994)
The first live-action continuation of the Star Trek franchise, Star Trek: The Next Generation has often been hailed as one of the greatest science fiction shows ever made. Set a century after the original with a new crew, the USS Enterprise sets sail again for the stars, as creator Gene Roddenberry successfully reinvented the brand. The Next Generation ran an impressive seven seasons, even sparking film continuation sequels and revival projects like Picard decades later.
Like many Star Trek installments, The Next Generation also benefits from a rewatch. Each time we reunite with the Enterprise crew, we are delighted by Captain Picard’s (Patrick Stewart) more intellectual approach to the brand’s space adventures, effectively turning the series into something more of a “thinking man’s sci-fi drama.” For longtime fans, revisiting the best episodes of The Next Generation is like reuniting with an old friend, and those reunions only become more enjoyable with every new binge.
‘Stargate SG-1’ (1997–2007)
Christopher Judge, Amanda Tapping, Richard Dean Anderson, and Michael Shanks in Stargate SG-1.Image via Showtime
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After the success of the original Stargate feature film, Stargate SG-1 continued the narrative with a new cast on television. The Showtime-turned-Syfy adventure series created by Brad Wright and Jonathan Glassner pushed the Stargate crew back together to explore new worlds and keep the villainous Goa’uld from making their way to Earth. While the plot developed beyond that over time, that thread would stick with the series throughout its impressive 10-season run.
Stargate SG-1 was the flagship Stargate series that reinvented the franchise into a television staple throughout the early 2000s. Each new binge of SG-1 reminds us of how good we had it at the time. While a new Stargate series is in development, nothing quite beats the original, which even produced two direct-to-video continuation films that effectively concluded the franchise.
‘Continuum’ (2012–2015)
Rachel Nichols as Kiera Cameron knocked to the ground, looking back in Continuum.Image via Showcase
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Many of the shows on our list have dealt exclusively with alien invaders or case-by-case adventures, but when it comes to time travel, few shows are more compelling than Continuum. Not only does the show offer us a look at a dystopian future where corporations control all aspects of life, but it’s also a mind-bending time travel drama that features complex characters and an enjoyable weekly caseload. For four seasons, Continuum continued to surprise us, and it’s still at the top of its game.
Set primarily in 2012 Vancouver, the show follows 2077 police officer Kiera Cameron (Rachel Nichols) as she travels to the past to pursue a terrorist organization called Liber8. The only problem is, over time, Kiera begins to understand the group’s cause, even if she disapproves of their methods. The tensions between corporatism and an overreliance on technology are at the heart of this show, making it more relevant today than ever.
‘Firefly’ (2002–2003)
Wash, Mal, and Zoe face danger and look tense inside their ship in Firefly.Image via FOX
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Billed as a “space Western,” Fireflywas the brainchild of Joss Whedon, who aimed to view the future through a distinct lens that blended cultures and pushed its outlaw heroes into further paths of rebellion. As the crew of the Serenity soar among the stars, they soon find themselves in the middle of uncharted waters when they pick up some mysterious passengers who put them on Alliance radar. With Captain Malcolm Reynolds (Nathan Fillion) — easily the best of this wild bunch — to guide them, the crew takes odd jobs all across the ‘verse.
Only lasting a total of 14 episodes, Firefly is a quick-and-easy binge, but one that will leave you wanting more. The series was cancelled long before its time, but each new watch reminds us of the potential that this cast and crew had to create something truly great. The cult following it garnered is enough proof that the short-lived Fox series succeeded, as is the continuation film Serenity.
‘The X-Files’ (1993–2018)
Mulder and Scully look up as they stand at an outdoor beach restaurant in The X-Files.Image via FOX
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The original “spooky cop show,” The X-Files is the perfect blend of science fiction and network television. As FBI Special Agents Fox Mulder (David Duchovny) and Dana Scully (Gillian Anderson) investigate the weird and unexplained, they fall into a conspiracy so large it spans not just the globe but the stars as well. What began as an alien-heavy series about abductions, UFOs, and government cover-ups soon turned into a pop culture phenomenon.
After nine original seasons and two feature films, The X-Files spawned two revival seasons in the 2010s. Around that time, many binged the series through once more, only to be reminded that there has never been another TV duo like Mulder and Scully. With over 200 episodes to choose from, binging The X-Files is no small feat, but once you do, you’ll be reminded of how novel this Chris Carter-created series was from the get-go.
‘Battlestar Galactica’ (2004–2009)
Katee Sackhoff sitting down and looking serious in Battlestar Galactica.Image via SYFY
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Perhaps the most groundbreaking installment in televised science fiction, Battlestar Galactica took a long-dead franchise and, under the direction of Ronald D. Moore, revived a brand by stripping it of all the camp and making it more adult. After humanity is nearly wiped out by a race of cybernetic Cylons, the remaining survivors search for the mythical homeworld of Earth. With the Galactica leading the fleet, this high-octane, politically charged drama is considered among the best of its kind for a reason.
Kickstarting with a two-part miniseries, SyFy launched Battlestar Galactica in 2004, resulting in a four-season space epic that remains unmatched. Even if it’s been a while since you watched it, the very first episode will suck you back in with force, and you’ll be glad it did. And, with several prequels and mid-series films also available, you can make it last even longer.
Wayne Rose, Michael Nankin, Rod Hardy, Sergio Mimica-Gezzan, Edward James Olmos, Robert M. Young, Jeff Woolnough, Félix Enríquez Alcalá, Jonas Pate, Allan Kroeker, Anthony Hemingway, Jean de Segonzac, Marita Grabiak, James Head, Paul A. Edwards, Gwyneth Horder-Payton, Brad Turner, Ronald D. Moore, Bill Eagles
Margot Robbie on the red carpetDoug Peters/PA Images/INSTARimages
After landing like a hot summer storm, one of the most controversial movies of 2026 made its PVOD debut this week. The movie had a stupendous run in theaters, but it seemed to disappear from the public’s consciousness rather rapidly after generating significant buzz. The film marked a return to form for star and producer Margot Robbie, who needed the win in order to consolidate her success after Barbie. That movie, directed by Greta Gerwig, grossed $1.4 billion worldwide and was a bona fide cultural phenomenon. Robbie’s follow-up project, A Big Bold Beautiful Journey, tanked both critically and commercially in 2025. While her 2026 release wasn’t exactly a four-quadrant hit, it still did well enough to put her back on track.
The movie divided critics with its controversial interpretation of a classic text, filtering complex themes for a generation that has grown up online. It also featured Jacob Elordi, one of the stars of perhaps the defining show of the generation, HBO’s Euphoria. He’s set to return in the third season of the series this month, now as an Oscar nominee. Elordi was nominated for his performance as The Creature in Guillermo del Toro‘s critically acclaimed Frankenstein, which was released on Netflix in 2025.
Whether you’re an innie or an outie, you’ve undoubtedly enjoyed the workplace comedies of Adam Scott. Let’s all cater to this state auditor.
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Margot Robbie’s New Movie Is Finding a Larger Audience at Home
The new movie starring Elordi and Robbie is Wuthering Heights, of course. Written and directed by the Oscar-winning Emerald Fennell, the movie grossed around $240 million at the worldwide box office, against a reported budget of $80 million. It now holds a 57% critics’ score on the aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, where the consensus reads, “Liberally adapting Emily Brontë’s classic story with a heavy dose of carnality and chic stylization, Emerald Fennell’s Wuthering Heights might not be the stuff of high literature, but it is a visually vibrant pleasure.” The R-rated romantic drama’s significantly higher 76% audience score sets it up for a solid run on the PVOD market. According to FlixPatrol, Wuthering Heights emerged as one of the most-watched movies on the domestic Amazon and Vudu charts immediately after its debut. Stay tuned to Collider for more updates.
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Release Date
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February 13, 2026
Runtime
136 Minutes
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Director
Emerald Fennell
Writers
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Emerald Fennell, Emily Brontë
Producers
Margot Robbie, Tom Ackerley, Emerald Fennell, Josey McNamara
Meghan Markle has responded after her former Suits love interest Patrick J. Adams spoke about her on a recent podcast.
After Adams, 44, shared that he never received any of Duchess of Sussex’s famous As Ever jam while appearing on the “Not Skinny But Not Fat,” podcast on Tuesday, March 31, Meghan responded two days later.
Posting via the comments section of the “Not Skinny But Not Fat” Instagram account, Meghan, 44, said she was rectifying Adam’s lack of jam situation immediately.
“Jams en route for you @patrickjadams & @sleepinthegardn,” Meghan wrote, tagging the actor and his wife, Troian Bellisario.
Patrick J. Adams poked fun at Suits‘ recent success on streaming by giving all the credit to Meghan Markle and Prince Harry. Eagle-eyed followers noticed on Sunday, September 3, that Adams, 42, updated his Instagram bio to read, “The guy from that show you’re watching on that app because that girl married that prince.” The […]
Meghan also sent well wishes to other members of Adams’ family via the rare public comment.
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“Hugs to those beautiful babies. Send my love to your mom ❤️,” Meghan added, referencing Adam and Bellisario’s three daughters, Aurora, 7, Elliot, 4, and Imogen, 2 months, as well as the actor’s mother.
During the podcast episode, Adam disclosed that he “did not get a jam” when Meghan’s brand, As Ever, was launched despite starring alongside her for years on the legal drama.
“I didn’t get anything,” he joked. “I don’t have enough followers, I don’t think.”
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle.(Photo by Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for W+P)
Podcast host Amanda Hirsch admitted that she had been one of the recipients of Meghan’s jam but explained she hadn’t tasted it yet as she’s preserving it in the box.
“You’re treating it like a champagne?” Adams asked. “It’s gonna go bad,” he added. “How long do preserves last? It’s going to go bad.”
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Adams played Mike Ross in Suits from 2011 to 2018. His character struck up a romance with colleague Rachel Zane, portrayed by Meghan.
They both left Suits after the show’s seventh season and Meghan quit acting to join the British Royal Family full time. Meghan and her husband Prince Harry married in 2018 and announced they were stepping back from royal duties in January 2020. (The couple also share two children, Prince Archie, 6, and Princess Lilibet, 4.)
Meghan Markle still has nothing but love for her former Suits costars. “We are not really in touch. She leads a very different life now for obvious and important reasons,” Patrick J. Adams replied to a fan asking about his and Markle’s relationship via Reddit on Sunday, October 6. “[But] upon hearing about the [Suits […]
During Tuesday’s podcast, Adams also explained why he’s been protective over his former costar amid her romance with Harry.
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“What she’s gone through is insane,” he said. Adams also referenced his Instagram bio — which reads, “The other guy from that show that you’re watching on that app because that girl married that prince.”
“I’ve got to change that,” Adams said. “It’s the sort of thing that wherever Meghan is, if she’s ever read that, she’s going, ‘Patrick, give me a break’.”
Adams added, “I got a lot of eye rolls — that was a constant with Meghan.”
Last week, I started off the Flavor Swap review series with Madison Beer and her Sweet Southern Heat BBQ Cheetos. While I was less than impressed with the results, I had high hopes for the Ruffles potato chips. Potato chips have been used as a vehicle for all sorts of eclectic flavors over the years, and Cool Ranch is one of the most popular Doritos flavors out there. Could combining the two possibly create a flavor variation that was anything but delicious? That’s what I set out to discover.
Inside The Flavor Swap Series
Frito Lay is swapping flavors from chip to chip(real mind bender). The new Flavor Swap remixes fan favorite chip flavors with the help of a few celebs.
🛒Heading to major stores that carry each brand Feb 16th for a limited-time. I’ll update as found!
The Flavor Swap is a 2026 collaboration between PepsiCo Foods and Gen-Z influencers in order to create limited-edition snack mashups. While Madison Beer put Lay’s Sweet Southern Heat BBQ seasoning on Cheetos Crunchy and iShowSpeed put Ruffles Cheddar & Sour Cream seasoning on Doritos, Dude Perfect’s made a mashup of Doritos Cool Ranch and Ruffles, putting the iconic tangy, herby seasoning of Cool Ranch Doritos on the thick, ridged texture of a Ruffles potato chip.
The chips were first released on the TikTok shop in February 2026 before hitting nationwide grocery store chains like Safeway, Walmart, and Kroger in March 2026. Eager fans have also been scoring them on Amazon, although the price is much higher than you’ll find in an average grocery store.
Dude Perfect Scores Major Points With This Mashup
Instead of breaking down the nutrition facts – they’re basically just potato chips with added seasoning, after all – let’s get straight to the review! The good news is that the Ruffles potato chip texture is spot-on. If you were the kind of kid consuming these chips at backyard barbecues and holiday parties, then you won’t be disappointed. They weren’t greasy. They weren’t flimsy. They had the same kind of structure that you would expect from a Ruffles chip, with textures and ridges that make it great for dipping. To focus on the Flavor Swap aspect of this taste test, I decided not to use any dip for these chips, but the option is there!
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As for the taste itself, I would have told you that these were Sour Cream and Onion potato chips if I had been blindfolded. The Cool Ranch aspect just tastes right on a Dorito, and I’m not sure if the potato chip was the right vehicle for this flavor. I actually think Cool Ranch Cheetos would have been a better way to go, since there would have been a bit more of that classic Cheeto-powder dust (hopefully).
Madison Beer vs. Dude Perfect: Who Made The Better Chip Mashup?
In my last celebrity food taste test, I was disappointed with Madison Beer’s Sweet Heat BBQ Cheetos because I was expecting a little bit of that classic Cheetos cheese flavor with the addition of a sweet BBQ. Unfortunately, as I stated in my review, there was little to no cheese dust on these. The sweet BBQ flavor came through, but the heat did not. Overall, they were a big pass for me.
Looking at the two flavor combinations side by side, I’m going to give the win to the Cool Ranch potato chips. If you can only go to the store and grab one snack, then the potato chips will most certainly have more mass appeal while the subtle Cool Ranch tang will have everyone asking, “What flavor IS that?” People who love Cheetos and the delicious, sticky Cheetos dust will be disappointed by the lack of it and may be put off by the sweet BBQ flavor, which, to me, still reads as a little too sweet.
Who Is Dude Perfect?
Tammie Arroyo / AFF-USA.com / MEGA
If you’ve never heard of Dude Perfect before, you may be about to become a fan! They’re a comedy group that boasts over 60 million subscribers on YouTube. The group consists of Tyler Toner, Coby & Cory Cotton, Garrett Hilbert, and Cody Jones. The five best friends were roommates at Texas A&M University.
They’re best known for “Go Big” stunts, such as trick shots, comedic sketches poking fun at gym and driving stereotypes, competitive stunts with a “Wheel Unfortunate” penalty, and hilarious attempts to break bizarre Guinness World Records.
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The good news is that this isn’t the end of the taste test. Next up, we have Doritos, which are usually a crowd-pleasing favorite. I’ve yet to come across a Dorito flavor I didn’t like, so I have high hopes to try this Flavor Swap variety.
Incumbent mayor Karen Bass currently holds the most support from potential voters at 25 per cent while the reality TV star is right behind her at 11 per cent support.
Per the poll, city council member Nithya Raman is currently in third position, with 9 per cent support.
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Meanwhile, 40 per cent voters are still undecided before the June 2 primary.
“The system in Los Angeles isn’t struggling, it’s fundamentally broken,” Pratt, 42, said at the “They Let Us Burn” public demonstration on January 7, via the New York Post. “It is a machine designed to protect the people at the top and the friends they exchange favors with while the rest of us drown in toxic smoke and ash. Business as usual is a death sentence for Los Angeles, and I’m done waiting for someone to take real action.”
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Spencer Pratt.(Photo by Amanda Edwards/Getty Images)
Pratt continued, “That’s why I am running for mayor. And let me be clear, this just isn’t a campaign, this is a mission, and we’re gonna expose the system.”
While Pratt has a substantial number of backers according to the new poll, not everyone supports his bid to become mayor.
Spencer Pratt and Heidi Montag filed a lawsuit against the city of Los Angeles and its Department of Water and Power (LADWP) following the destruction of their home in the Palisades wildfire. Spencer, 41, and Heidi, 38, were among nearly two dozen plaintiffs – which also included Spencer’s mother Janet Pratt – in the lawsuit […]
“Spencer has done great work for the palisades. But LA does not need another unqualified and inexperienced mayor,” Stephanie wrote via X on February 14.
“A vote for him is a vote for stupidity,” Stephanie continued.
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In follow-up posts, Stephanie explained why she wouldn’t be voting for her brother to become the new L.A. mayor.
“He’s just trying to stay famous and sell his memoir don’t be fooled,” she wrote. “In an ideal world the palisades would have their own mayor and police department. I would love [for] him to be mayor of [the] Palisades but not LA with 4 million people. I’d be impressed if a republican could turn LA democrats tbh.”
She added, “At least hire someone with work experience who wasn’t in a cult. I’m WORRIED about LA. I have no problem with Spencer playing government but our city needs help.”
Summer House’sAmanda Batula has been spotted as she faces backlash from her romance with West Wilson – and it appears her ex Kyle Cooke is supporting her through the drama.
In new photos published by Page Six, Batula, 34, was snapped reuniting with Cooke, 43, on Friday, April 4.
During the outing, the pair chatted on the street while walking their dogs. At one point, Cooke hugged Batula.
Batula and her Summer House costar Wilson, 31, confirmed their romance earlier this week after speculation increasingly swirled about the nature of their relationship.
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“We’ve seen the growing online speculation, so while this is still very new, we wanted to provide some clarity,” read an Instagram statement on Tuesday, March 31. “It was never our intention to purposely hide anything. Given the complicated relationship dynamics involved and the scrutiny that comes with being on a reality show, we needed a little space to process things privately before speaking on it.”
Batula and Wilson continued to address how their relationship changed.
“We’ve shown up for each other as friends over the years, through all the highs and lows, and what’s developed recently was the last thing either of us expected,” they continued. “Our connection grew out of a genuine, longstanding friendship, which made it especially important for us to approach this with care.”
West Wilson.(Photo by Cindy Ord/Getty Images for SiriusXM)
Both Batula and Wilson have come under fire for the relationship, as Wilson previously dated Batula’s best friend and Summer House costar, Ciara Miller, in 2023.
“I’m good. I appreciate people checking in. I’m actually really worried about Amanda, if I’m being honest,” Cooke told street journalist Adam Glyn in a TikTok video.
Cooke added that he had spoken to Batula, who gave him “a heads-up” about making a statement on her relationship with Wilson.
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“I talked to her last night, and I understand people have all sorts of opinions, and I’m not justifying any behavior, but, like, from what I’m seeing, she’s getting cyberbullied,” he said.
Cooke and Batula announced in January that they had separated after four years of marriage.
“After much reflection, we have mutually and amicably decided to part ways as a couple,” the pair said in a joint statement at the time. “We share this with a heavy heart and kindly ask for your grace and support while we focus on our personal growth and healing.”
Of all the major crime procedurals, Criminal Minds is considered one of the darkest, thanks to its focus on serial killers and their often twisted psyches. But that is also the reason why this show has been around for so long, with its 19th season airing this year and its renewal for a 20th season already confirmed. Serial killers can be heinously creative, which means Criminal Minds still has so much inspiration to draw from and ideas to churn out. Really, the series could go on forever. Apart from pushing the bandwidth of morbid creativity, the show has a legacy that survived a rebranding, one that bodes well for its future.
‘Criminal Minds’ Finds Horror Realism In Even the Most Absurd Ideas
Criminal Minds dug into the niche of serial killers and gave it a psychological twist that makes every episode feel new, even if some of the basics are recycled. We’ve seen countless iterations of sexual sadists, yet by analyzing behavior, each episode feels fresh with different M.O.’s that can be traced back to the perpetrator’s childhood. Other times, there are antagonists whom we can’t help but sympathize with, or ones that chill us to our core, like children who turn out to be sociopaths. As social customs and technology evolve, the show’s capacity for creativity does too, leading to a hauntingly never-ending supply of ways to terrify.
However, the true marker of success in Criminal Minds’ approach to episodes is that the show manages to root out horror realism in every idea. Of course, some are as simple as the awful sentiment of children being stolen from their families and tortured for years, or the terror of just being in the wrong place at the wrong time. But even in the most seemingly outrageous ideas, like an underground social media for serial killers or a Norman Bates-styled hallucination or the psychosis of bugs crawling under one’s skin, the show maintains a grounded semblance of horror, as if these things could really happen. They feed on very real concepts of the dark web and mental health, then push it for entertainment value while never losing sight of why it’s so chilling. The formula works, and as long as Criminal Minds sticks to it, the show can continue to churn out grisly episodes while still provoking the same addictive response.
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‘Criminal Minds: Evolution’ Has Proved the Show’s Ability to Adapt
What really cements Criminal Minds’ longevity is its proven ability to survive and thrive after a rebranding. In 2020, the original show was canceled after Season 15, but only two years later, it returned in full force as Criminal Minds: Evolution. As the subtitle suggests, the show evolved from a crime procedural to something akin to a psychological thriller, where longer overarching storylines are prioritized over episodic ones. However, that doesn’t mean the show has forgotten its roots, as the cases explored during these three seasons are still creepily realistic in the most unexpected ways, even when it dips into bureaucratic conspiracies and schools for budding psychopaths.
Even though the episodic cases aren’t the foundation of the series anymore, it’s actually beneficial for the show. Opting for these longer storylines forces Criminal Minds to be more mindful about the occasional standalone caseinserted into the season, while allowing the team to pace their creativity and offer killers that are more twisted than ever. Since the rebranding, we’ve gotten acid chambers, misogynistic zookeepers, and (shudder) spiders, all proving that Criminal Minds still has a deft handle on what makes them stand out in the world of crime.
Over the years, the show has adapted and pivoted to remain relevant, finding unique ways to inject a bit of terror into our lives while exercising its creative muscles. Serial killers will always hold space in the public imagination, and as long as that’s the case, Criminal Minds does too.
While she did not call out Kendra, 27, directly by name, Amy, 39, appeared to take a swipe at her cousin’s wife in a scathing TikTok video posted on Thursday, April 2.
“How in the hell can she not be so unbelievably distraught and mad and disgusted at him,” Amy said, seemingly referencing how Kendra is responding to Joseph, 31, being arrested last month on child molestation charges.
Amy continued, “Oh, just wait, I’ll tell you why, because women in these really toxic systems, like this one, are taught that anger is a sin.”
Amy Duggar King has taken back her previous support of embattled cousin Joseph Duggar’s wife, Kendra Duggar, following Kendra’s arrest on a child endangerment charge. “I think that was a plot twist that no one saw coming,” Amy, 39, said of Kendra’s arrest during a Saturday, March 21, interview with TMZ. “When I gave that […]
Amy continued to slam the conservative culture that the Duggars were brought up in, claiming it was problematic that they were taught to not express anger.
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“Anger is wrong and you cannot express it, you have to just keep it inside. Stay sweet, keep the peace and don’t create waves,” she continued. “Oh, and the biggest one that just drives me crazy is you have to forgive quickly, very, very quickly. Because heaven forbid, you take time to process what in the world has just happened, that your entire foundation of what you’ve built your life on with your children has now been completely disrupted and it’ll never look the same again.
She added, “But you’re not allowed to take time for yourself in this kind of environment, to even think for yourself. At all. So when you are angry, you can’t express it so you have to smile, talk sweetly and remember that your husband loves you no matter what.”
Amy said that “grace” is encouraged within the Duggar family, which she believes is unhealthy to use for all situations without question.
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“My favorite term that they always use is ‘grace.’ ‘We show them grace. We show the men grace because sins happen and grace covers it,’” Amy said. “Grace does offer repentance. Grace is something that is wonderful. Not in this instance. This isn’t grace, this is suppression. And this is how the cycle continues.”
Amy went on to state that she believes that Kendra is unlikely to be “dealing with the trauma,” and instead is more likely to “defend him, she will smile sweetly, she will talk very kindly to him and she will downplay the situation at hand.”
Joseph and Kendra Duggar/Instagram
Amy explained that she believed the feeling of anger has a crucial role in situations that warrant it.
“The healthy response to being hurt and to being betrayed and being, like, completely like, broken-hearted is anger. Anger is a part of it all. Not in this culture,” she said. “It fires me up because instead what you’re going to see is the most perfect, sweet little angel of a wife who’s right beside him through thick and thin and who does that remind you of? The fact that she is not angry at all should deeply concern you.”
Us Weekly has reached out to the Duggar family for comment.
Amy Duggar King has thanked fans on behalf of her family following the arrests of her cousin Joseph Duggar and his wife, Kendra Duggar. The 19 Kids and Counting alum, 39, shared a message from the “God Lady Talk” Instagram account on Friday, March 27, which read, “Surround yourself with people who pray for you […]
Joseph was arrested in Arkansas on March 19. He was charged with lewd and lascivious behavior involving molestation of a victim less than 12 years old and lewd and lascivious behavior conducted by a person 18 years or older after a 14-year-old girl came forward to police accusing Joseph of molesting her when she was 9 during a 2020 vacation to Panama City Beach, Florida.
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Joseph was extradited to Florida earlier this week, where he pleaded not guilty. He was later released on $600,000 bail.
In addition to the molestation case, Joseph and Kendra were both charged with four counts of endangering the welfare of a minor and four counts of false imprisonment. These charges are unrelated to the molestation allegations.
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If you or someone you know has been sexually assaulted, contact the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673). If you or someone you know is experiencing child abuse, call or text Child Help Hotline at 1-800-422-4453.
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