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The Paramount+ Star Trek revival has been going great, but most of the shows have met their end, except Star Trek: Strange New Worlds. The prequel series has been an unexpected runaway hit, with its experimental and episodic storytelling techniques being all the rage. Its third season will be released later this year.

After a lot of waiting, the studio released a synopsis with a press release. While the season 3 synopsis does not explicitly state what the plot is, there are hints at what the upcoming season might tackle. The cast of the show has previously teased what fans could expect and the prospect is exciting.

Paramount releases the official synopsis of Star Trek: Strange New Worlds A still from Star Trek: Strange New Worlds | Credits: Paramount+

The origins of Star Trek: Strange New Worlds lie in a misconception from writer Akiva Goldsman about what Star Trek: Discovery was about.

It’s been four months since Zachary Quinto (American Horror Story) shed his scrubs and clocked out after the debut season of Brilliant Minds. Since then, fans of NBC’s newest medical procedural have been waiting on pins and needles for a reveal that will tell them whether the series will return as part of the network’s fall slate. It’s been tough on those who watched other newbies like St. Denis Medical and Happy’s Place landed their renewals at the start of the year, but we’ve finally got an answer today, as NBC has chosen to continue Quinto’s tenure as neurologist Oliver Wolf.

Initially introduced to audiences as part of NBC’s fall lineup for 2024, Brilliant Minds comes from Michael Grassi, who based much of the story on the very real life of neurologist Oliver Sacks and his non-fiction book series, The Man Who Mistook...

In the "The Man From U.N.C.L.E." episode "The Project Strigas Affair", it's explained that Laslo Kurasov (Werner Klemperer from "Hogan's Heroes"), a Khrushchev-like diplomat from an unnamed Balkan state, is aiming to disrupt arms talks between the United States and nations behind the Iron Curtain. Agents Napoleon Solo (Robert Wagner) and Illya (David McCallum) are tasked with removing Laslo from his position without assassinating him (which would make him into a martyr). They instead concoct a very, very elaborate plan to embarrass Laslo and discredit him in the public eye. 

The plan begins with an agent from U.N.C.L.E. playacting his own death-by-stabbing in front of Laslo, yelling the cryptic (and made-up) phrase "Strigas YL893." This startles Laslo and causes him to assign his aide, a man named Vladeck (Leonard Nimoy), to investigate what that codeword might mean. U.N.C.L.E. secretly feeds Vladeck some fake information,...

William Shatner got his breakthrough with the sci-fi series Star Trek, where he played Captain Kirk. He has since become a global icon, forever cementing his place in pop culture history. The actor has also been a major public figure, making several appearances at events, conventions, and has been vocal about his experiences.

Shatner has been married four times. His third wife, Nerine Kidd, was found dead back in 1999. Kidd had reportedly been a victim of alcoholism all her life, and there were reports of alcohol found in her system after her death. Shatner was reportedly so traumatized by her passing that he even got s*icidal thoughts.

William Shatner opened up about one of the darkest periods of his life following Nerine Kidd’s death William Shatner in Star Trek | Credits: Paramount

William Shatner may be best known for his role in Star Trek, but he has since been synonymous with many prominent characters.

William Shatner kickstarted the Star Trek franchise as its first captain, James T. Kirk, in the original series. The swashbuckling and charismatic Captain Kirk became a pop cultural icon, and apart from its writing, it was Shatner’s performance that made the character legendary. Shatner has been an irreplaceable part of the franchise and laid its foundations.

However, the veteran star has been synonymous with other roles as well. In the movies, he has featured in Miss Congeniality, Judgement at Nuremberg, Loaded Weapon 1, and more. On TV, he has played the titular detective in T.J. Hooker and the lawyer Denny Crane in Boston Legal. The latter won him an Emmy and a Golden Globe Award.

William Shatner’s non-Star Trek role won him an Emmy and a Golden Globe William Shatner in Star Trek | Credits: Paramount

William Shatner was the face of Star Trek, along with Leonard Nimoy,...

Leonard Nimoy was the king of calm, cool, and collected as Spock, but when it came to leading roles, he always swerved, and his reason was borderline ridiculous in the best way. Despite being the face of Star Trek, Nimoy had no interest in being the main guy.

It wasn’t about pressure, fame, or even the paycheck. He just didn’t see the appeal of carrying a project solo. In a town where everyone’s chasing top billing, Nimoy’s refusal felt hilariously offbeat. And somehow, that unexpected move only added to his legendary status.

Why Leonard Nimoy never wanted to be a leading man Leonard Nimoy in a still from Star Trek: The Original Series | Credits: NBC

Before Star Trek’s Spock beamed into pop culture immortality, Leonard Nimoy had already made one big decision about his Hollywood path: no lead roles. Not because he lacked talent but...

After building up a massive fanbase for itself with its remarkable television series, the Stranger Things franchise is currently working on returning to the screens one last time with its fifth and final season. As fans await the same, some have decided to revisit the older seasons to refresh their memory, and as they do so, they’re finding questionable plots from the past.

For one, as a discussion on Reddit recently had a fan pointing out, one of the plot twists from the last aired season, season 4, has left one of the most epic moments from the first season of the saga as a glaring plot hole. And this particular plot hole has something to do with the Upside Down and Noah Schnapp’s Will’s iconic communication scene logically impossible.

This Stranger Things plot twist from S4 is ruining Will’s epic moment in S1 A still from Season 1. | Credits: Stranger Things / Netflix.

Fans loved watching Kirk and Spock banter but one TV series had the pair at odds! Find out which!

Obviously, many will associate William Shatner and Leonard Nimoy with Kirk and Spock. The pair’s real-life relationship was tricky as it varied from co-stars to friends to being at odds. Reportedly, they were still on rough terms when Nimoy passed away in 2014, and Shatner expressed regret that they never patched things up.

A fun trivia bit is that the pair co-starred in a 1964 episode of the spy series The Man From Uncle as young agents involved in a mission at an embassy, with Shatner putting on a show of being drunk so Nimoy can get closer to a target.

The pair were reunited for the first Star Trek movie in 1979. But between films, they also found time to reunite on TV, including ads. Yet some Trek fans may forget that...

Television historians are familiar with the arc of the popularity of "Star Trek." In its first two seasons (which aired from 1966 to 1968), it struggled to attract a massive mainstream audience. Quietly in the background, however, the series was accumulating a small but passionate cult of science nerds and utopia lovers. When news leaked that CBS was going to cancel "Star Trek" after its second season, a grassroots letter-writing campaign (led by Bjo and John Trimble) barely managed to save it. Of course, its third season wasn't any more popular than the first two, so CBS canceled the series after 78 episodes.

"Star Trek," however, landed a sweet, sweet syndication deal, allowing it to remain in reruns for many, many years. It wasn't until the early 1970s that the show grew from a niche cult sci-fi series into a cultural phenomenon. Fans began to find one another, conventions were held, and creator...

There’s a reason why millions of people still love the Star Trek franchise to this date, despite being one of the oldest franchises in all of Hollywood. Although the franchise has a certain moral code and the classic fight between good vs. evil, there’s more to it than meets the eye.

From giving homage and references to having some detailed easter eggs that only the keen-eyed fans know, the Star Trek franchise has become a global pop culture phenomenon, and the characters Thad and Kestra were more than easter eggs for the world.

Star Trek: Picard introduced the children of Captain Riker

It was 1966 when Star Trek: The Original Series debuted, starring William Shatner and Leonard Nimoy in leading roles. The series found much fame and critical acclaim (partly due to the space race that was going on at the time).

Jonathan Frakes as William T. Riker in...

Captain Kirk surely cried -- at least off-screen -- when he watched the U.S.S. Enterprise disintegrate following his self-destruct order in Star Trek III: The Search for Spock. Though moviegoers saw no tears from Kirk, it pained him, as his line, “My God, Bones, what have I done?” suggests. Even if Kirk didn’t cry, countless fans did. And now a real-world U.S.S. Enterprise is nearing the end of its storied journey… or, better phrased, nearing the next chapter in its demise.

The U.S.S. Enterprise (Cvn-65), a proud United States Navy aircraft carrier, took three years to build (1958-1961) and remained in operation until 2012, when she was inactivated, and 2017, when she was officially decommissioned. Affectionately called “Big E,” the Enterprise holds the distinction of being the Navy’s first nuclear-powered ship, and she was involved in everything from the Cuban Missile Crisis, Operation Sea Orbit,...

Despite being the least emotional being on the USS Enterprise-d, Brent Spiner’s Data is the heart and soul of Star Trek: Tng. The android is on a quest to understand humanity and often contemplates rationally on what makes one a human. Till his last breath in Star Trek: Nemesis, Data is on this never-ending quest, only realizing it before his apparent death.

While Spiner’s performance was a huge aspect of why the character worked so well, being emotionless and deadpan during intense sequences would be hell for any actor. Actors are trained to react, and Data hardly does so. An early director for Tng reportedly used this aspect of the character to warn Spiner that he would get tired of the character.

Brent Spiner was warned by a Star Trek: Tng director that he would grow tired of playing Data A still from Star Trek: The Next Generation | Credits: Paramount

Ask any actor,...

Vecna. The evil villain who has wreaked havoc across Hawkins, Indiana, is still alive. Although fans had a brief moment of happiness when Vecna was attacked in the Upside Down, his body was nowhere to be found.

That brings us to Stranger Things season 5, where things will reach their peak intensity, and it will all come crashing down in one final epic finale of an episode. However, fans are concerned that it might not just be a happy one.

What happened in Stranger Things season 4?

To jog your memory a little, here’s a quick rundown on what happened when we visited Hawkins last. Mike and his gang were in Hawkins trying to figure out the mystery of Vecna while Eleven confronted her past again.

A still from Stranger Things | Credits: 21 Laps Entertainment

On the other hand, Steve, Nancy, and Robin are in the Upside Down when they attack...

Jonathan Frakes has directed many episodes in the Star Trek franchise, but he got his start as an actor. Tng’s William Riker was the resident Casanova, with his one-liners and quips, almost like a proxy Captain Kirk. He was the perfect companion to Patrick Stewart’s Captain Jean-Luc Picard, who was a lot more diplomatic and introspective.

Frakes has all the love for his show, but he did mention that Tng fell short of the original series in one aspect. Tos had a lot of banter between William Shatner’s Captain Kirk, Leonard Nimoy’s Spock, and DeForest Kelley’s Dr. Leonard McCoy. This holy trinity of sorts was missing in Tng as it did not center around any one protagonist.

Jonathan Frakes has a valid reason for feeling Tng fell short of the brilliance of the original series Jonathan Frakes in Star Trek: The Next Generation | Credits: Paramount...

After topping the charts with its first two seasons, Stranger Things once again hit it out of the park with its third season by doubling down on the ’80s nostalgia. While the ’80s have always been a crucial component of the Netflix original’s identity, which made it stand out in the first place, in season 3, the references and the aesthetics became more prevalent.

Although it worked in its favor, especially the Cold War paranoia that meshed well with the ’80s aesthetic, the soviet base itself doesn’t chime well with the rest of the show’s grounded nature.

The soviet base sticks out like a sore thumb in Stranger Things season 3 Stranger Things | Credit: Netflix

In contrast to its predecessors’ slow-burning approach, season 3 proved to be a nice change of pace with its frantic and fast-paced approach, and the brighter color palette made the show’s aesthetics stand out.

Numerous actors appeared in several of the series that followed Star Trek: The Original Series, among them Majel Barrett-Roddenberry, Jonathan Frakes, Vaughn Armstrong, Randy Oglesby, Steve Rankin, Tim Russ, Clint Howard, Armin Shimerman, and Lee Arenberg. And a few guest-starred in The Original Series And several of the shows that followed, including Barrett-Roddenberry, Howard, and the late Joseph Ruskin.

Ruskin’s direct association with Star Trek spanned from 1968 to 2001, as he appeared on Tos, Deep Space Nine, Voyager, and Enterprise, as well as two video games and the feature film, Star Trek: Insurrection. His first appearance, as Galt in the second-season Tos episode “The Gamesters of Triskelion,” was probably his most famous outing. He also played a Klingon, Tumek, in the DS9 installments “The House of Quark” and “Looking for par’Mach in All the Wrong Places,” a Cardassian in the DS9 hour “Improbable Cause,” a Vulcan in Voyager’s “Gravity,...

Way back in 1986, when Gene Roddenberry was still developing ideas for "Star Trek: The Next Generation," he gave himself and his collaborators a series of restrictive mandates. Most notorious of these was his infamous "no conflict" rule, demanding that none of the new show's stories revolve around interpersonal conflict between the main cast members. In Roddenberry's eyes, the future would be an idealized place where co-workers never bickered, and all problems were solved, without issue, as a group. This, as one can imagine, frustrated Roddenberry's writing team, who felt that the only way to generate drama was through interpersonal conflict. 

Another mandate was Roddenberry's insistence that familiar "Star Trek" aliens be eschewed. "Next Generation" was to be a distinct entity, set nearly a century after the events of the original series, and Roddenberry wanted it to stand on its own. If it contained a Vulcan, Roddenberry knew that audiences would...

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While "Star Trek" was never a ratings bonanza during its initial run in the 1960s, it was something of a cultural phenomenon. Specifically, Spock, played by Leonard Nimoy, grabbed the public's attention, largely because of the character's striking visage and dignified demeanor. Spock, a Vulcan, had pointed ears, angled eyebrows, and a severe haircut that made him stand out from the human characters around him. The other members of the "Star Trek" cast were all exceptional in their respective roles, of course, but it was Spock who was the face of the show, at least as far as non-viewers were concerned. 

Spock's popularity led to a rather unusual curio in the "Star Trek" franchise. In 1967, Leonard Nimoy recorded an album called "Leonard Nimoy Presents Mr. Spock's Music from Outer Space." The record featured the theme to "Star Trek," but also a few humorous novelty tunes,...

Note: This story contains spoilers from “9-1-1” Season 8, Episode 15.

Peter Krause’s fire Captain Bobby Nash has been through a lot in eight seasons on “9-1-1,” including a near-fatal heart attack, being shot and almost drowning on a capsized cruise ship and somehow survived. Until this week, when he sacrificed himself to save a member of his team and died by the end of Episode 15.

The actor’s exit had not been announced ahead of time, making his character’s death that much harder on fans. Although a trailer scene in which Buck (Oliver Stark) lets out an anguished scream sparked speculation that only losing his father figure Bobby would affect him that deeply.

This also marks the first major death on “9-1-1” in eight seasons, changing the stakes for the hit TV franchise moving forward.

In a statement to press, Krause said, “I’ve heard that many fans are...

Star Trek’s Captain Kathryn Janeway had to deal with many alien species and their issues while also guiding the Voyager back to Earth. From co-inhabiting the ship with the Maquis to onboarding a former Borg drone, Janeway interacted with many species during her travels, but sometimes the show couldn’t give the storylines proper closure.

One of the most interesting storylines on the show, which actually got several episodes, was the Hirogen species. The hunter species of holograms used the holodeck to create prey for themselves, and later even put the Voyager crew in a hologram reality during WWII. However, the storyline of the hologram species headed by Iden never got a follow-up.

Star Trek: Voyager’s Hirogen storyline was very interesting Hirogen in Star Trek: Voyager | Credits: Paramount

The Hirogen, a species of hunter holograms, are introduced in Star Trek: Voyager’s fourth season episode, Hunters. Initially, a...

Gene Roddenberry had a simple dream: to write an iconic story about space characters with a strong moral and ethical code. His ideas led to the creation of an iconic 1966 show called Star Trek: The Original Series.

The series, which aired in 1966, went on to span a larger-than-life cinematic universe that includes sequels, prequels, and spin-offs. With a plethora of projects in the universe, there are bound to be a plethora of iconic actors and characters in the franchise as well.

Star Trek and the space race

Before there was a galaxy far, far away, there was Star Trek: The Original Series. Debuting in 1966, the iconic show saw actors like William Shatner, Leonard Nimoy, and Nichelle Nichols portray some iconic characters.

Alice Krige as the Borg Queen in Star Trek: First Contact | Credits: Paramount Pictures

Upon its debut, Star Trek: The Original Series found worldwide fame and critical acclaim and...

Star Trek may be symbolized by the Starfleet icon that is often seen on the crew members’ uniforms, but it is best represented by one sign that was reportedly created on a whim. Neither Gene Roddenberry nor any of the writers is credited with the Vulcan hand salute, the popular greeting that is one of the most recognized pop culture symbols.

The Vulcan hand salute was reportedly envisioned by actor Leonard Nimoy, who played Spock in the original series. The actor used the symbol for the first time in the second season, and it has since become part of sci-fi history and has even made its way into Asl. Nimoy reportedly based it on something he saw as a kid at Jewish synagogues.

Leonard Nimoy was inspired by a Jewish ceremony for the Vulcan hand salute in Star Trek Leonard Nimoy in Star Trek | Credits: Paramount

Though other actors have played Spock,...

Leonard Nimoy may be the definitive Spock, but Ethan Peck did a good job in Star Trek: Strange New Worlds. The half-Vulcan, half-human first officer of the Enterprise has been portrayed best by Nimoy, but has also been played by Peck and Zachary Quinto in J.J. Abrams’ Star Trek movie reboot.

However, it was reportedly not that easy for Peck to get into the mindset of the Vulcan. The actor mentioned that he struggled to portray Spock’s largely emotionless demeanour and did hone it in during reactions. Funnily enough, the legendary Leonard Nimoy also reportedly struggled with the same issue during the pilot of Tos.

Ethan Peck struggled to show no emotions as Spock in Star Trek: Strange New Worlds Ethan Peck in Star Trek: Strange New Worlds | Credits: Paramount+

Ethan Peck began his tenure as Spock in the prequel series Star Trek: Discovery. He was the third...

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Most Trekkies would be able to tell you that the original series "Star Trek" episode "Assignment: Earth" was meant to be a backdoor pilot. "Assignment: Earth" heavily featured a then-new character named Gary Seven (Robert Lansing) a time-traveler from the 24th century. Gary Seven was discovered by the crew of the U.S.S. Enterprise after it had traveled back to the 20th century for research purposes.

Kirk (William Shatner) and Spock (Leonard Nimoy) briefly interact with Gary, but the bulk of the episode focuses on his adventures and the sci-fi widgets he has at his disposal. Gary carries around a futuristic, screwdriver-like device he calls a Servo and can teleport around Earth through a high-tech portal built into a vault in his office. He's accompanied by Isis -- a cat who, in a mysterious turn of events, transforms into...

If you think sequels are bad now, you should have seen them a couple decades ago. Today, franchises are so ubiquitous that the studios take time to get them as right as possible, securing the original stars and trying to write stories that equal their predecessors. At the dawn of the blockbuster era, however, sequels were seen as cheap cash cows to be rushed out as quickly as possible while people still remembered the original. Nowadays, we know that nostalgia can overcome most of that and keep some properties around forever.

If you're wondering why your least favorite "Star Wars, "Star Trek," or "Superman" isn't on this list, it's simple: when you have an actor associated with an iconic character who continues to commit to the role, it elevates even "Superman IV: The Quest for Peace." It's hard to hate a movie that has Christopher Reeve in the tights, or Leonard Nimoy in pointy ears,...

As someone who’s been watching the original Star Trek for years, first in syndication, then on VHS tapes I purchased at Kmart, and then onto DVDs and streaming, I’ve seen each episode dozens of times. There are a few I avoid and some I love so much that I know the scripts by heart, but none is dearer to me than “Journey To Babel” (S02E10.) This episode has so many fantastic elements that it’s difficult to choose only a handful, but here are a few that truly stand out for me.

1. Mark Lenard as Sarek

While Mark Lenard gave a memorable performance as the Romulan commander in the episode “Balance of Terror,” he is in his element as Sarek of Vulcan and Spock’s father. While his scenes with Leonard Nimoy are quite brilliant, it is his delivery with other beings on board that makes him stand out.

Data, the android played by Brent Spiner, was beloved by the writers of "Star Trek: The Next Generation." Apart from Captain Picard (Patrick Stewart), Data had the most number of episodes devoted to him. Data was emotionless but aspired to be human, giving him a unique perspective on the human condition. He would ask fundamental queries like "What is humor?" or "Describe feeling angry," allowing the Trekkies watching to formulate answers in their minds. Data's questions allowed viewers to become more articulate about the human experience, which is good, just in case we meet an android in person. 

Spiner was also such a versatile actor that he was frequently asked to play other characters. Data became possessed by an evil alien criminal in the episode "Power Play", for instance. In the episode "A Fistful of Datas", an Old West holodeck program began reproducing duplicates of Data, all played by Spiner.

Jonathan Frakes has been forever associated with the franchise since his days as an actor on Star Trek: Tng. The star transitioned to a director during the series and continued this path through the films and other shows like Voyager, Deep Space Nine, Castle, Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., and Strange New Worlds.

While Tng was a global sensation and is still the most popular series in the franchise, it was canceled prematurely after season 7. Despite no change in ratings and its popularity being consistent, the cast was not given an explanation at the time about the reason behind the cancellation. Frakes mentioned that Paramount did not give them a suitable reason at all.

Jonathan Frakes expressed his frustration at Paramount not giving a reason for canceling Star Trek: Tng The Enterprise crew in Star Trek: Tng | Credits: Paramount

At its peak, Star Trek: The Next Generation was one of the most...

What's the connection between Star Trek: The Original Series, Welcome Back, Kotter, and The Courtship of Eddie's Father? Aside from the fact that all three are classic and beloved television series, the answer is… James Komack.

Originally an actor, musician, and comedian, Komack made the leap to writing, producing, and directing in the early 1960s. He directed 11 episodes of Get Smart and, later, several episodes each of The Courtship of Eddie’s Father, Chico and the Man, and Welcome Back, Kotter, shows for which he also wrote and produced. He was credited with helping discover John Travolta and Freddie Prinze. In between, Komack was tapped to direct one episode of Star Trek: The Original Series: “A Piece of the Action.” The well-regarded hour -- which aired on January 12, 1968, during the show’s second season -- ranks as one of Star Trek’s most entertaining and funniest installments.

Looking back...

The moment those iconic opening notes of the Star Trek theme song blare across the screens, fans know they’re in for a journey like no other. The iconic score, with its soaring orchestral arrangement and William Shatner’s narration, “Where humanity reaches for the stars,” perfectly captured the essence of Star Trek.

But behind this legendary music lies a dark story of a scam, as creator Gene Roddenberry grabbed the opportunity of locking the original composer out of millions in royalties. Instead of a rewarding partnership, unfortunately, it became a financial nightmare for the composer.

Star Trek creator Gene Roddenberry | Credit: Larry D. Moore, licensed under Cc By 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons. Gene Roddenberry’s Star Trek composer who cost him millions in royalties

In 1966, Alexander Courage, a long-time orchestrator who had worked on the scores for movies like Show Boat, Gigi, and Seven Bridges of Seven Brothers, composed the...

The recent teaser trailer for Season 3 of Star Trek: Strange New Worlds is not only exciting, but it also reminds us that Strange New Worlds is very much a prequel to the original Star Trek from 1966. With that comes a lot of overlap in characters between the two shows, with numerous Tos characters appearing in the main cast or as guest stars on Snw.

There are so many Tos characters across its 79 official episodes, however, that there is plenty of room to explore even more. While obvious untapped characters to feature might be the likes of Chekov, Sulu, or Dr. McCoy, it would be exciting to see some other characters from Tos appear. Perhaps some who have not received as much attention over the past 60 years.

Janice Rand

When Star Trek first started in 1966, Yeoman Rand (Grace Lee Whitney) was initially presented as a fairly major character. Early advertisements for...

It is not a new thing for members of the Star Trek cast to step behind the camera and take on directing duties for some episodes. Who better than the only ones to feature in every episode to take over the reins sometimes? Actors like Jonathan Frakes and LeVar Burton have directed the most number of Star Trek episodes even after their shows ended.

However, one actress who transitioned into directing and has made it her bread and butter (much like Frakes) is Voyager’s Roxann Dawson. Dawson played B’Elanna Torres in the spinoff show and directed two episodes of the series later. She has since been the guiding force for some of the best network shows of the past few decades.

Roxann Dawson in Star Trek: Voyager | Credits: Paramount Star Trek: Voyager’s Roxann Dawson followed Jonathan Frakes’ footsteps to become a TV director

At this point, it...

Whenever viewers tuned into CBS' long-running western series, "Gunsmoke," the only guarantee they could count on was seeing what dilemma James Arness' Marshal Matt Dillon would get into that week. Like most television westerns, you never knew if the new person riding into town was there to seek help or cause trouble, but chances were that the role would be occupied by an actor who would go on to a successful career.

Names like Ron Howard, Sam Elliott, Harrison Ford, and Leonard Nimoy — albeit in a culturally insensitive role — have all made a pit stop. Sometimes, if you're lucky, you'll get two prolific guest stars for the price of one — such as in the case of "One Killer on Ice."

The season 10 episode stars John Drew Barrymore, son of Hollywood legend John Barrymore and father of Drew Barrymore, as Anderson, a suave bounty hunter who rolls into Dodge City with a proposition.

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In the "Star Trek" episode "Assignment: Earth", the Enterprise travels back in time to the year 1968 -- something, it seems, the Enterprise can just do -- for historical research purposes. While in hiding out in orbit, however, Captain Kirk (William Shatner) and Spock (Leonard Nimoy) detect that someone else nearby is using super-advanced transporter technology, meaning they aren't the only time travelers in the vicinity. Interrupting a transporter signal, the Enterprise beams aboard a handsome and mysterious stranger holding a black cat. This is Gary Seven (Robert Lansing), a time traveler from the 24th century, which is a century beyond from where Kirk came from. 

Gary Seven announces that he is on a mission of his own, and that it is of the utmost importance. It involved taking over control of a nuclear missile, however, so Gary doesn't seem very trustworthy.

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In 1843, a Scottish surgeon named James Braid published a book with the fun-to-say title of "Neurypnology," which is often cited as the earliest known instance of modern-day hypnosis used for medical purposes. The practice and terminology of hypnosis began to spread through the psychology community through the rest of the 19th century and into the 20th, and it was used openly during wartime as a valuable psychological tool for combatting Ptsd. By the 1950s, hypnosis was has found mainstream approval around the world. 

Of course, the mainstreaming of hypnosis caused some people to freak out a little. The thought that a hypnotist could put you to sleep and implant mental suggestions they could control, effectively making you their slave, frightened some people who didn't fully understand its medical applications. It didn't help that hypnosis had also proliferated as a popular form of stage entertainment,...

If there are a select number of pillars upholding the Hollywood complex as we know it, Ron Howard is no doubt one of them. He's been an prominent actor, director and producer for over the past six decades and clearly shows no signs of stopping, with his latest film "Eden" set for release next month. Howard's presence as an industry fixture is so prolific each stage of his career is a story unto itself. Long before he became an Academy Award-winning filmmaker ("A Beautiful Mind") or one of the co-founders of Image Entertainment, Howard made a considerable name for himself in the world of television.

In the same vein as Jodie Foster, Howard was thrust into the industry at such a young age and built his legacy on its foundation. Although "The Andy Griffith Show" and "Happy Days" are considered the two landmarks of his television career, you would likely...

Streaming services haven't only facilitated the release of movies and TV shows at the same time across the world but also gave viewers a chance to rewatch or discover old titles, as well. Now, one of the longest-running TV series of all time is getting its chance.

Gunsmoke, which was the second Western television series for adults, is now finding success online. The series debuted in 1955, just four days after the first Western TV series, The Life and Legend of Wyatt Earp. Per Matthew Belloni, Gunsmoke just entered the Nielsen charts for acquired shows on a list filled with current shows, 50 years after its series finale.

Gunsmoke just entered the Nielsen Top 10 for acquired shows on streaming. Congrats to the cast and creators, who are all dead. pic.twitter.com/KCVuKDZoBG— Matthew Belloni (@MattBelloni) April 3, 2025

The Western show was in the charts for the week between Mar. 3 and 9, per the Nielsen charts.

In the vastness of space, there’s so much humanity knows and yet so much remains unknown. Star Trek: The Next Generation took that idea and flipped it on its head, delivering one of the most thought-provoking episodes in television history.

Across its run, Tng gave fans unforgettable episodes like The Measure of a Man, Yesterday’s Enterprise, and The Inner Light, each tackling deep questions about identity, morality, and the human experience.

Star Trek: The Next Generation, episode “Darmok” | Credit: Paramount

But this one episode, named Darmok, changed everything. More than just a story, it became a subject of research, exploring the power (and limits) of language in a way that resonated far beyond the Star Trek universe.

What happens in Star Trek: Tng’s Darmok?

Decades ago, a Star Trek: The Next Generation, season 5 episode 2, aired that changed everything. But before we dive into why, let’s take...

Leonard Nimoy became a pop culture icon for playing Spock in Star Trek: The Original Series. Along with Captain Kirk and Dr. Leonard McCoy, Spock formed the golden trio of Tos, and his half-Vulcan traits defined the species. However, a reference to this legend reportedly caused a huge rift between the team at The Next Generation.

Writer Ira Steven Behr, who would go on to be a producer and writer on Deep Space Nine and Voyager, reportedly feuded with producer Rick Berman on including a reference to Spock in The Next Generation. Steven Behr mentioned that he feuded with Berman over including a reference to Spock in an episode focused on Sarek, his father.

A reference to Leonard Nimoy caused a huge rift between the Star Trek: Tng crew members Mark Lenard as Sarek in Star Trek: Tng | Credits: Paramount

Leonard Nimoy was undoubtedly the breakout star from Star Trek: The Original Series.

At 94, William Shatner is still a pop cultural icon who does not seem to be slowing down. The Captain Kirk star will forever be associated with Star Trek and its mythos. While it is one of the most legendary shows of all time, the behind-the-scenes of the series was not all prosperous. Shatner may be an icon, but he was not at all popular with the cast.

Many of Shatner’s co-stars have complained about his behaviour on set, especially George Takei, who played helmsman Hikaru Sulu. Takei has been in a long-time feud with William Shatner and has called out his ‘diva’ behaviour on set and off it. Shatner, too, has called Takei out for fabricating lies about him.

Why are George Takei and William Shatner embroiled in a feud? William Shatner in Star Trek: The Original Series | Credits: Paramount

George Takei’s Hikaru Sulu may not be as...

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In the "Star Trek: Picard" episode "Penance", Admiral Picard (Patrick Stewart) is visited by the impish cosmic deity Q (John de Lancie) for the first time in decades. Q, for reasons all his own, has decided to test Picard's cleverness and resolve, and has orchestrated a little game for the Admiral. Q whisks Picard into a parallel universe wherein Earth is ruled by evil, xenophobic, genocidal tyranny. Picard finds that his parallel self is a mass-murdering general who keeps the skulls of his enemies in his den, and that all of Earth's resources are now devoted to tracking down and killing other species. It's pretty bleak. Picard finds that this evil timeline began sometime in the year 2024, and he gathers his compatriots to travel back and time to figure out what went wrong. 

Curiously, the tyrant timeline in "Picard" isn't...

In Nicholas Meyer's 1991 film "Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country," Spock (Leonard Nimoy) and the crew of the Enterprise are investigating an elaborate mystery. The Enterprise was seemingly framed for firing upon a Klingon vessel during a vital diplomatic mission, and two officers from the Starfleet ship beamed over afterward and assassinated a Klingon chancellor. No one knows the identity of the assassins, nor how the Enterprise could have fired on the Klingon ship when they still have a full complement of torpedoes.

Regardless, Captain Kirk (William Shatner) and Dr. McCoy (DeForest Kelley) are arrested and sent to a remote Klingon prison planet, requiring Spock to find the evidence to exonerate them (as they are clearly innocent). During his investigation, Spock logically dictates to the Enterprise's crew that, "An ancestor of mine maintained that if you eliminate the impossible, whatever remains -- however improbable -– must be the truth.

Richard Chamberlain, the leading man who starred in blockbuster miniseries like The Thorn Birds and the original Shogun, has died. Chamberlain died of complications of a stroke on March 29, as reported by his longtime friend and partner, Martin Rabbett. Chamberlain was 90. Chamberlain was born on March 31, 1934, in Beverly Hills, California. After serving in the US Army, he turned to acting and formed a theater company, Company of Angels, with several fellow actors, including Leonard Nimoy and Vic Morrow.

His first big break came in 1961, when he was cast in the title role of the medical drama Dr. Kildare. Playing idealistic young medical intern James Kildare, Chamberlain rocketed to fame on the strength of the show's ratings and his matinee-idol good looks, and even had a Billboard Top 10 hit for his vocal rendition of the show's theme song. The show ended after five seasons, and Chamberlain had trouble being taken seriously; he relocated to England,...

Quick LinksCartoon Network's Cult Classic Came Out of a Classic NovelA Disney Adaptation of The Halloween Tree is Long OverdueDisney and Pixar Don't Need Another Coco

Nobody expected Pixar and Disney to announce Coco 2, especially when a heartbreaking Cartoon Network cult classic is far more deserving of a remake. It has been 33 years since The Halloween Tree first took children on an adventure through history, yet while many debate the merits of a Coco sequel, others wonder why Ray Bradbury’s beloved movie hasn’t been remade. Like the journey its protagonists embark on, there is much to uncover, both in what sets Ray Bradbury’s title apart from Coco and what makes it the perfect spiritual successor Disney has overlooked for decades.

Winning Best Animated Feature and Best Original Song at the 90th Academy Awards, Coco cemented its place as one of Disney’s most beloved modern classics.

The Star Trek franchise has existed since 1966. It started with a humble television series that proved extremely popular over the decades. The original show’s syndication success led to the first feature film based on it, which was released in 1979.

Since then, the franchise has been rebooted and later expanded on television with multiple spin-offs. However, for years, the William Shatner-directed Star Trek V remained arguably the worst film entry, which nearly ended the expansive franchise decades ago.

William Shatner in Star Trek: The Original Series (Credit: NBC).

After almost 26 years, Shatner’s film can finally have some reprieve as the Michelle Yeoh-led Section 31 movie has broken its record because of its poor reviews. Many fans will agree that it has now taken over the fifth installment as the worst Star Trek movie, and here’s why.

Michelle Yeoh’s Star Trek: Section 31 broke a nearly 26-year-old...

While fans love to grumble about George R.R. Martin’s endless delays on The Winds of Winter, which has been stuck in development limbo for over a decade, they might want to take a moment to appreciate what he’s already given them.

Before he was tormenting readers with unfinished A Song of Ice and Fire novels, Martin played a key role in shaping one of Star Trek: The Next Generation‘s most thought-provoking episodes. “The Measure of a Man“, the iconic trial of Data’s humanity, remains one of the show’s most powerful moments, and fans have him to thank for that.

So sure, go ahead and be mad about The Winds of Winter, but maybe throw in a little gratitude for the sci-fi brilliance he’s already delivered! Here is how he did it!

George R.R. Martin at a reading [Photo by Pasi Välkkynen, licensed under Cc By-sa 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons] George R.R. Martin...

The original Star Trek: Voyager design was almost a disaster — at least, according to one determined showrunner who refused to let it fly. Burning the midnight oil, he scrapped the initial, deceptively clunky design and reworked it into something sleeker, more futuristic, and worthy of Star Trek.

Star Trek The Original Series – A still from the episode Arena | Credits: Paramount Television

Whether it was madness or sheer dedication, his late-night revisions saved Voyager from looking like a total misfire.

The man who saved Voyager: How a Star Trek perfectionist fixed a deceptively stupid design Garrett Wang and Robert Duncan McNeill in Star Trek: Voyager | Credits: Paramount Television

The Star Trek: Voyager we know today almost looked well, deceptively stupid. Per former Senior CG Supervisor Rob Bonchune, the ship’s original CG model had a major problem — its hull was tinted purple. And if that wasn’t enough, the deflector dish glow looked completely off.

William Shatner debuted as Captain James T. Kirk in the first season of Star Trek: The Original Series, which premiered in 1966. Although the series only lasted three seasons, it had a long syndicated run, bolstering its popularity over the years and turning Shatner into an icon.

William Shatner in Star Trek: The Original Series (Credit: NBC).

Despite the show’s popularity and Shatner’s meteoric rise to fame with it, the actor admitted that he did not receive any backend payments from it. As a result, Shatner had to find other methods to pay the bills, especially since he became typecast after the series ended in 1969. Here is what Shatner had to say about not receiving residuals from Star Trek.

William Shatner revealed why he does not receive residuals from Star Trek reruns

Actor William Shatner essayed the role of Captain James T. Kirk in Star Trek: The Original Series.

Star Trek had a score of great episodes, but there’s an interesting reason why one in particular is William Shatner’s favorite!

While it took a few years after its cancellation for Star Trek to become a beloved cult favorite, it was still popular in its early airings. The first season is often regarded as the best with some great storylines and the characters winning over fans, especially William Shatner’s James T. Kirk.

Naturally, Shatner has been asked numerous times just what his favorite episode of the series is. It’s interesting that Shatner claims he doesn’t watch himself in reruns of Star Trek or most of his other TV shows.

However, when it comes to “The Devil in the Dark,” Shatner has no problem citing this as his favorite episode of the series, and the reason for it is striking.

A recap of “The Devil in...

Tufts of Hair and Skin.

Trace and I are firmly in the thick of Doppelgängers and Deception month. We began with Darren Aronofsky’s Black Swan (listen) before heading into the world of sex work with Daniel Goldhaber’s Cam (listen). Now we’re up to Philip Kaufman‘s 1978 remake of Invasion of the Body Snatchers Aka one of the greatest horror remakes of all time.

In the film, Matthew Bennell (Donald Sutherland) initially discounts Elizabeth (Brooke Adams)’s observations that her partner Geoffrey (Art Hindle) is behaving oddly. As identical reports surface, however, Matthew recruits his writer friend Jack Bellicec (Jeff Goldblum), Jack’s wife Nancy (Veronica Cartwright) and therapist Dr. Kibner (Leonard Nimoy) to investigate. They quickly discover that a nefarious plot is in motion to replace people with emotionless automatons…and anyone who falls asleep is at risk.

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