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SEVERANCE Season 2, Episode 8 Recap: New Revelations and Questions From ‘Sweet Vitriol’

After taking us to Lumon’s nightmare Testing Floor in the last episode, this week Severance brought viewers to a desolate seaside city. What did Harmony Cobel’s emotional return trip home teach us about her past and possible future? And what new horrors did we learn about the company she dedicated her life to? Here are the biggest revelations and questions from Severance season two’s chilly eighth episode, “Sweet Vitriol.”

[image error]Revelations From Severance Season 2, Episode 8, “Sweet Vitriol”Harmony Cobel Invented SeveranceApple TV+

Harmony Cobel—not Lumon CEO Jame Eagan—invented severance. The company’s most industrious, most talented student came up with both the concept and the designs for Lumon’s most valuable technology.

That revelation explains so much about the former severed floor manager’s previous actions. She was obsessed with finding out if Mark S. would recognize his “dead” Outie’s wife because she was testing her own designs. She wanted to get Petey’s reintegrated chip out of his brain to learn how her tech was hacked. It also explains why she wanted to return to her old job and thought Lumon truly needed her back. She’s protective of that world-changing technology because it’s hers.

She doesn’t get credit for it, though. As she told Sissy, Lumon said all knowledge belongs to Kier. Harmony also said, “If I sought credit I would be banished.” It wasn’t enough for Lumon to benefit from Cobel’s brilliance. The Eagan family had to make sure everyone believed they’d come up with severance to protect their image and stature as modern day pharaohs. To make sure they did, they threatened their best student, whom they’d brainwashed since childhood, with exile. They emotionally manipulated Harmony to make sure she would willingly go along with the theft of her greatest accomplishment.

Somehow that wasn’t the worst thing we learned about Lumon in this episode.

Lumon Uses Child Labor and Gives Kids DrugsApple TV+

Lumon uses child labor. Hampton said he and Harmony used to work ten-hour shifts manning vats at the ether factory as kids. How can eight-year-olds handle that kind of work? By getting high on an ether that elevates their spirits. The few remaining citizens of Salt’s Neck suffer from an addiction to a product Lumon used to make and give out. When Sissy complained about Hampton being a “huffer,” Harmony told her, “You gave him his thirst for it.”

Harmony also used it as a child, as it was another tool of control Lumon employed against vulnerable workers. That’s why she thinks “it’s so shameful” Hampton sells it. That ether, like the abandoned factory in a nearly abandoned town, represents the evil of Lumon.

Lumon Has Intense Rules About Dead PeopleApple TV+

Sissy didn’t want Harmony to enter their mother’s bedroom because “that room stays shut until all who remember her sit with Kier.”

That’s…intense. Think about how long entire rooms in Lumon households can remain shuttered because of that practice. If an old person dies and their young grandchild lives until they’re 90 that’s almost eight decades of leaving a part of the house locked up. And all because everyone who ever knew someone must also “sit” with Kier, an annoying guy who wasn’t actually a religious figure. He ran a balm company and became a hack writer.

Sissy Still “Lives by the Nine” and That Makes Her a “Pariah”Apple TV+

“The Nine” is not a place where Sissy lives. It refers to Kier Eagan’s nine Core Principles he believed would lead to someone becoming a better worker and person. (In the episode, you can briefly see some of them at Sissy’s shrine for Kier.) Sissy is still entirely faithful and loyal to the Eagan family and its Founder. But she’s the only person in Salt’s Neck who feels that way.

Everyone else hates Lumon after “the market readjustment from a few years ago and the fluctuating interests rates” caused “a retrenchment from some of the core infrastructure investments.” Which is a fancy way of saying Lumon abandoned the town and then so did every other company. That left behind nothing but a mass ether addiction for its struggling denizens.

Apple TV+

Even when confronted by her sister with a blatant fabrication, Sissy’s reaction was to protect Lumon. Moments before she said she could not lie. Yet she wanted to toss Harmony’s notebook in the fireplace lest the truth come out. Fittingly, hypocrisy is a trait Sissy shares with the Eagans.

Devon and Mark Still Reached out to Cobel for HelpApple TV+

Despite Dr. Reghabi’s warnings, Devon and Mark still called Harmony Cobel for help. Cobel knew Reghabi was involved as soon as she heard about Mark’s reintegration. She knows how dangerous the process really is. “She hasn’t killed him yet?” she asked.

When Mark got on the phone she said, “Tell me everything.” Since he called for help, we have to assume he will.

Cobel might be the most qualified person to keep Mark alive. She also has answers about Gemma. But that doesn’t mean anyone can trust her. Not when the question of her “fealty” to Lumon is the biggest raised by the episode.

New Questions From Severance Season 2, Episode 8, “Sweet t Vitriol”Is Harmony Cobel Ready to Turn Against Lumon for Good?Apple TV+

There have long been signs of Harmony Cobel’s disillusionment with Lumon. She hid important information from the Board, pursued her own goals in secret, broke company policy, and succumbed to the Four Tempers/violated the Nine in private. (Remember her foul-mouthed rant in the car during season one?) Now she fears Lumon, which she fled the last time we saw her before this episode. And we know why she has reason to personally resent the Eagans. She’s clearly furious about not getting credit for her work and that anger has simmered for decades.

So is she no longer Lumon “through and through” like Reghabi said about her? Or will a lifetime of control and manipulation keep this “soldier” in line? Will her previous faith in Kier bring her back into subservience to the Eagan family which indoctrinated her since childhood?

Mark’s life, Gemma’s freedom, and the future of severance itself might depend on whether or not Harmony Cobel can finally accept the truth she knows in her soul about the company she has always placed her faith in.

Who Was Harmony’s Mother and Why Did She Hate Lumon?Apple TV+

There’s one good reason to think Harmony Cobel might truly be done with Lumon. She adored her mother and still has unresolved, painful issues over her death.

And her mother hated Lumon even more than Hampton.

But why exactly? Why did Harmony’s mother hate Lumon? Who was she? Did she have a connection to the company and/or the Eagans? Is that why she let her daughters go to Lumon schools and work for them? Is that why she let them grow up worshipping Kier?

Apple TV+

We know nothing about Mama Cobel except that at some point she went from trusting Lumon with her kids’ lives to hating Lumon and everything it represented. Why? And, even more importantly now, is the answer to that question enough to make sure Harmony Cobel’s eyes remain open to what Lumon really is?

The future of both severance and Severance might depend on the answer.

Mikey Walsh is a staff writer at Nerdist. He hears you can get amazing deals on Salt’s Neck real estate right now. You can follow him on Bluesky at @burgermike. And also anywhere someone is ranking the Targaryen kings.

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DAREDEVIL: BORN AGAIN, Season 1, Episode 1 and 2 Recap, New Revelations and Questions from ‘Heaven’s Half Hour’ and ‘Optics’

After seven long years, Daredevil is back, in the Disney+ revival series Daredevil: Born Again. Many of the main players from the original series have returned, although for some, it’s not for very long. Here’s everything that went down in the first two episodes of Daredevil: Born Again.

[image error]Revelations From Daredevil: Born Again Season 1, Episode 1, “Heaven’s Half Hour”R.I.P Foggy Nelson, and Farewell Nelson, Murdock, & PageGiovanni Rufino/Marvel Studios

The episode opens some years after we left our heroes at the end of the original Daredevil show. We have no clear idea how much time has transpired since then. We also don’t know if any of them got Thanos-snapped for instance. But enough time has passed for Foggy Nelson to get quite a glow-up. We see our trio from the original series out for a few post-workday drinks at Josie’s Bar in Hell’s Kitchen. Matt Murdock (Charlie Cox), Foggy Nelson (Eldon Henson), and Karen Page (Deborah Ann Wohl) are at a retirement party for their cop friend Cherry (Clark Johnson). After Foggy awkwardly flirts with Assistant D.A. Kirsten McDuffie (Nikki M. James), he gets a frantic phone call from a client. He goes outside to talk to him, and Matt senses something is up. Foggy isn’t outside for more than a few moments before a sniper’s bullet hits him in the chest.

Marvel Studios

That bullet turns out to be from Benjamin “Dex” Poindexter, a.k.a. the assassin Bullseye (Wilson Bethel). He kills two more people and takes aim at Karen, before Daredevil steps in and the two have an epic brawl in the bar. As Daredevil and Bullseye fight inside of Josie’s Bar, and then on the roof, Foggy lies dying on the pavement outside. Matt can hear his heart slow down, and when he knows that his best friend has died, he breaks his “no killing” rule. He promptly throws Bullseye off the building. Bullseye survives the fall. We assume it’s due to his enhancements received at the end of the original show. But there may be more to it. In just the first fifteen minutes of the series, Matt Murdock’s life comes crashing down on him. And it’s brutal.

“One Year Later” – Matt’s New Life, and Is NYC Better Without Daredevil?Marvel Studios

After the credits roll, we then pick up one year later, in Matt’s new swanky apartment. He still looks very sad, and they’re letting us know Foggy’s death still weighs heavily on him. We then watch some street interviews with locals on an online show called The BB Report. The titular BB is BB Urich, niece of reporter Ben Urich from season one, played by Genneya Walton. Seems she’s following in her uncle’s footsteps. From these candid interviews, we learn Daredevil retired and things are not any better. Career-wise, Matt is doing great though, as he and Kirsten are now partners. Soon after, Matt gives a very emotional testimony during Bullseye’s trial, and Karen Page also appears for the sentencing. The judge sentences Poindexter to life in prison on 11 counts of first-degree murder.

The Kingpin Goes Legit. Maybe?

We are soon reintroduced to Wilson Fisk (Vincent D’Onofrio), eating a fancy meal as if his time served in prison never happened. As his estranged wife Vanessa Fisk (Ayelet Zurer) has a secret meeting with the heads of the Five Crime Families, he walks into the room. Just like that, everything comes to a stop. Vanessa has been keeping his criminal enterprises thriving while he’s been gone. But Fisk soon informs her he now wants to go “legit.” We’ll soon find out exactly what he means by that.

Awkward Reunions, and What Happened to Matt and Karen in the Missing Year? Marvel Studios

Karen and Matt have an awkward conversation in the courthouse after, where Karen reveals she’s living in San Francisco. It seems the trauma around the events a year ago means she’s not ready to renew a close friendship with Matt. It’s all still too fresh and painful. Matt simply reminds her of Foggy and their practice together. Before she goes, she gives Matt a broken-off horn from his Daredevil costume, realizing he might just need the push. Does she want him to become Daredevil again, or keep his vow to not go the vigilante route again? It’s unclear what Karen is hoping for here. That night, Matt learns that his old nemesis Wilson Fisk is running for Mayor of New York City. And he’s not very happy about it at all.

Matt Has Two Awkward Coffee Dates

After we see Fisk meeting with his campaign staff, including his Gen-Z representation Daniel Blake (Michael Gandolfini), we return to the offices of Murdock & McDuffie. Kristen sends Matt on a client meeting with a woman named Heather Glenn, an old friend of hers who is a therapist. What she didn’t tell Matt (or Heather) was that it was actually a blind date. Although Both Matt and Heather are mad at Kirsten for the ambush, the two do hit it off, and a romance begins. Soon after, Matt’s ex-cop buddy Cherry reveals he’s not discovered anything dirty on Fisk’s campaign. At least nothing he can use against him in his upcoming mayoral run. This doesn’t make Matt very happy, and then he says “Maybe New York is getting the mayor it deserves.” Ouch.

Marvel Studios

Then we get to the pièce de résistance for episode one. Matt Murdock and Wilson Fisk meet up in a diner and exchange some tense pleasantries. It’s clear the two have not seen each other face to face since the events of Daredevil, several years back. Matt makes a few verbal jabs, reminding Fisk that his protégé Echo shot him in the face. Although Fisk assures Matt that he had nothing to do with Foggy’s death, keeping his promise to leave them alone (Matt would know if he was lying). Both men remind the other that if they “step out of line” there will be consequences, with Fisk threatening Matt should he ever put on the Daredevil costume again. We’d say the first coffee date went better than this one.

New York Votes for a Convicted Criminal as Its Mayor

Later, while on a proper date with Heather, Matt learns that Fisk has won the race. The former Kingpin is now Mayor of New York City. After his victory, Fisk confronts his wife Vanessa over an affair she had with someone named Adam, after which she calmly pleads with him not to kill him. Fisk says “I’m not that man anymore.” But we kind of doubt that. Are we meant to know who this “Adam” is? Is he a character we’re meant to have any familiarity with? It’s unclear.

Revelations From Daredevil: Born Again Season 1, Episode 2, “Optics”Mayor Fisk Lays Down the Law on Masked Vigilantes

Episode two of Born Again, “Optics,” begins right after Fisk’s recall election on New Year’s Eve, where he assures New York City that he won’t tolerate any costumed vigilantes running around, like the guys wearing skulls on their shirts or men dressed as spiders (Hey, we know them!). We then cut to a man heading to a (mostly) empty subway platform, who tries to break up two men beating down another man. He kicks their butts, but one of the men falls on the subway line and is creamed by a train. The guy they beat up runs away, and the good Samaritan is arrested, as the surviving assaulter is a cop.

Marvel Studios

Fisk starts his job as Mayor pontificating on how old his desk is, not very interested in the mundane minutia of his job. Later, Matt Murdock is down at the Police Precinct, when he overhears the cops threatening the subway Samaritan, whose name is Hector Ayala. Matt offers to represent him in court, knowing thanks to his handy-dandy hearing powers he’s not lying about what took place. Although he immediately knows Victor is holding something back. Back at his office, Matt and Kirsten realize that vindicating Ayala is going to be an uphill battle, as he killed a police officer, and the only witness he saved ran away.

BB Urich Meets Mayor Fisk, But Does She Know He Killed Her Uncle?

Daniel Blake introduces BB Urich to Mayor Fisk for an interview. Fisk realizes her coverage of his campaign actually helped his election efforts. It’s unclear whether or not BB realized that Fisk murdered her uncle in cold blood, but she doesn’t seem to like him much. Interestingly, she doesn’t really ask him a question despite getting permission to try and get a soundbite out of him. What exactly was the point of this meeting?

Heather Glenn is hosting a reading/signing for her newest book, when an awkward young man approaches her about getting some help. Next, Fisk’s right-hand man Buck Cashman approaches Heather with a different offer. At the funeral for the cop who died on the subway platform, Fisk confronts Police Commissioner Gallo. He’s trying not to get him to quit in protest, as he knows many cops will follow his lead. But Commissioner Gallo knows the true criminal Fisk is and wants no part of him. He tells him “You’re not a mayor who loves this city. You’re just a whiny kid who wants everyone to love him.” This insult is not one Fisk will soon forget.

Surprise! Our Subway Hero Is Actually Marvel Comics Hero White TigerGiovanni Rufino/Marvel Television/Disney+

At Hector Ayala’s apartment, Cherry discovers that Hector is actually operating as the vigilante White Tiger. This obviously throws a huge wrinkle at Murdock & McDuffie’s case. When the Police chief goes to Fisk’s office and tries to resign, Fisk essentially threatens him to stay on the job, or he’ll expose that he has a son with another woman (presumably not his wife). Pressured, the comish stays on the force, but tells Fisk “Be careful what you wish for.” Matt and Kirsten get the judge to not allow Ayala’s masked identity to be brought up in trial. They argue that since he wasn’t in costume or using his mystical amulet during the incident, it shouldn’t factor in.

The next scene shows us Wilson and Vanessa Fisk in couples therapy. It seems that older voters don’t like seeing estranged married couples as the Mayor and First Lady of New York. And, as it turns out, Heather Glenn is their therapist. Seems Fisk’s guy recruited her at her book signing. They skirt around the criminality of their marital issues, but it’s clear Vanessa was happier without Wilson around.

Matt Murdock Lets the Devil Out (But Did He Kill Again?)Marvel Studios

Matt eventually discovers the young man that Hector Ayala saved, hiding out in his apartment. Turns out his name is Nicki Torres. Matt learns that he was a police informant who the cops were roughing up. Matt goes to his apartment to get him to testify in Hector’s case, but the cops are also on their way to kill him. Nicky escapes through the window, and when the cops try to kill Matt instead, he unleashes holy hell on them, letting the ol’ Devil of Hell’s Kitchen out to play. It doesn’t appear he killed them, but it’s actually unclear. As the episode ends, Matt Murdock screams into the night. But we’re not sure if it was a howl of pain, or a howl of victory. On some level, Matt enjoyed letting his rage out. As they said in the original series, “the Murdock boys have the Devil inside them.”

And that is our recap of the first two episodes of Daredevil: Born Again season one. Join us next week as we continue our return to Hell’s Kitchen and the ongoing struggle between Matt Murdock and his “darker half.”

More revelations and questions in Daredevil: Born Again next week.

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DOCTOR WHO Season Two Adds HOUSE OF THE DRAGON’s Freddie Fox to Cast

The Fifteenth Doctor and Ruby Sunday’s adventures will continue in Doctor Who’s second season (which some are still calling season fifteen). For now, Ruby is back home and getting to know her birth mom but something will draw her into the TARDIS once again. Thankfully, the Doctor’s spaceship is bigger on the inside, which means there’s plenty of room for Belinda Chandra, a new companion coming to Doctor Who next season.

There’s also room for new Doctor Who villains, including Freddie Fox as a scary dude from another planet who also looks like he’d be in a ’90s grunge band. If his face looks familiar, that’s because he played Queen Alicent’s brother, Ser Gwayne Hightower, in House of the Dragon.

Bad Wolf Studios/Disney+

Here’s everything we know about Doctor Who season two so far. 

BBCDoctor Who Season Two’s Plot

As usual, the plot for any Doctor Who season is a bit in flux but there is a main synopsis now:

The Doctor meets Belinda Chandra and begins an epic quest to get her back to Earth. But a mysterious force is stopping their return and the time-traveling TARDIS team must face great dangers, bigger enemies and wider terrors than ever before.

In addition to the Belinda storyline, there could be more mystery to unveil with Ruby Sunday’s family, especially her father. And her neighbor Mrs. Flood is an enigma who does appear in the Doctor Who season two trailers.

Right after the 2024 Christmas special, we got to get our first look at Doctor Who season two in a trailer with the Fifteenth Doctor and Belinda Chandra. Based on what we see here, it appears that the Doctor is trying to get Belinda back home but there are some strong forces preventing that from happening. We get a glimpse of Ruby herself rocking an interesting haircut. We also see Kate Lethbridge-Stewart from UNIT, so perhaps we will see other faces from there as well. And one of those villains gives serious Cuphead vibes. Love to see it.

Behind-the-ScenesDisney+/Bad Wolf Studios/BBC

APeter Hoar (“A Good Man Goes to War”) and Amanda Brotchie are directing two episodes each. Ben A. Williams and Makalla McPherson will direct one episode a piece to round out the six episode season. Of course, Russell T Davies will continue as the showrunner. 

Ncuti Gatwa and Millie Gibson opened up about Doctor Who season two in a Variety interview. Gibson says that the fourth episode was a favorite onset moment. “That [episode] was the first one I filmed and the biggest challenge,” said Gibson. “So I was so proud of how it came out.”

Gatwa said he truly got to soar as the Fifteenth Doctor in this next season. This totally makes sense now that this new era has a solid foundation. “Season two felt like a chance to flex the muscles properly,” Gatwa said. “So exciting. You’re fueled by the writing and by each new story, each new monster, each new addition into our world, there’s many in Season two. It’s just the fun of the show. I think that just drives you growing into the character.”

This is the first time that a TARDIS team has not included at least one white person, so it is only right that the episode writers reflect this milestone. Juno Dawson, Pete McTighe, Inua Ellams, and Sharma Angel-Walfall are now a part of the Doctor Who writers’ room.

Doctor Who season two finished filming in May 2024. 

Doctor Who Season Two’s Cast

Millie Gibson and Ncuti Gatwa will continue their roles as Ruby Sunday and the Fifteenth Doctor. In addition to Varada Sethu’s role as new companion Belinda Chandra, Jonah Hauer-King will appear in the series. Alan Cumming is also coming to Doctor Who season two as an animated character named Mr. Ring-a-Ding, who looks like he belongs in the Cuphead universe.

RELATED ARTICLE

DOCTOR WHO Reveals Season Two Release Date, Alan Cumming As a Cartoon Character

In the aforementioned Variety interview, Russell T. Davies shed some light on how Belinda Chandra will fit into the Doctor Who season two dynamic. “We see The Doctor and Ruby in a new light, and with a new friend,” Davies affirmed. “Like you’re saying, different friends bring out different aspects of you.”

Doctor Who Season Two’s Release Date 

Doctor Who season two will hit BBC One and Disney+ on April 12.

Originally published July 29, 2024.

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New STAR TREK: STRANGE NEW WORLDS Season 3 Cast Portraits Are Truly Stun-ning (Exclusive)

It’s been almost two years since the second season of Star Trek: Strange New Worlds ended on a cliffhanger. And we’re itching to discover just how Captain Pike and his Enterprise crew got out of their jam with the Gorn. But this year will finally see the premiere of season three of Strange New Worlds. In the meantime, Paramount+ has released several new amazing portraits of our main cast, including new crew members like Engineer Scott. You can check out each of these brand new Star Trek: Strange New Worlds cast images down below. And trust us, you won’t want to miss these:

Star Trek: Strange New Worlds Season 3 Cast Portraits Click To View Gallery Paramount+ Paramount+ Paramount+ Paramount+ Paramount+ Paramount+ Paramount+ Paramount+ Paramount+ Paramount+ Paramount+ Paramount+

Among the new Star Trek: Strange New Worlds season three cast portraits are new images of Anson Mount as Captain Christoper Pike, Rebecca Romijn as First Officer Una Chin Riley/Number One, and Ethan Peck as Mr. Spock. Also included in our exclusive look at Star Trek: Strange New World‘s upcoming season are Celia Rosa Gooding as Nyota Uhura, Jess Bush as Christine Chapel, and Melissa Navia as Lt. Ortegas. Christina Chong as La’an Noonien Singh, and Babs Olusanmokun as Dr. M’Benga.

Paramount+

If that weren’t exciting enough, we also get a fresh look at cast member Martin Quinn, who plays Scotty. Scotty came about the series during its season two finale. And that rounds out the main crew. But even recurring guest stars Melanie Scrofano (Marie Batel), Carol Kane (Chief Engineer Pelia), and Paul Wesley as James T. Kirk got some out-of-this-world portraits for Strange New Worlds‘ upcoming third season. It would be a shame not to have a gorgeous version of Kirk to go with the rest.

Paramount+

You might be wondering how such incredible images came to life in celebration of Star Trek: Strange Ne Worlds season three. Is it special effects? Unknown Trek-like technology from the future? It turns out, the photos were actually created using practical means, something we absolutely adore.

How Did These Incredible New Star Trek: Strange New Worlds Season 3 Images Come to Life?

Photographer Pari Dukovic began with a completely darkened room in order to accomplish the truly stellar cosmic effect for each individual Star Trek: Strange New Worlds portrait. He then used a standard digital projector mixed with a strobe to achieve the lighting he wanted to create. With this technique, he amplified the actor’s skin and eyes with images of star nebulas and distant galaxies. The projections were different for each person, and each individual actor reacted differently to them. We see wonder, joy, fierce determination, and humming curiosity echo over the different faces of our favorite Star Trek: Strange New Worlds characters and actors. In short, all the core themes that Star Trek delivers into our lives are encapsulated in a gorgeous series of photos.

And honestly, the care and beauty of these new Star Trek: Strange New Worlds images make us so excited for what’s to come.

Paramount+ Star Trek: Strange New Worlds Season 3 Is On the Way

The final result means Trekkers now have some of the grooviest cast portraits for a Star Trek series thus far. Although, as mentioned, Star Trek: Strange New Worlds season three does not yet have a release date, the season will drop on Paramount+ sometime later this year.

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The Canceled Live-Action POWERPUFF GIRLS Series Trailer Surfaces and It’s Bizarre

In the dark year known as 2020, The CW raised many eyebrows by announcing a live-action Powerpuff Girls series. There are many animated shows that could feasibly work in with actual actors, but that show certainly wasn’t one of them. At least, not in a way that any of us could imagine would be good and believable. And it seems we were right because it was cancelled after filming it. Since then, we’ve had many other things to think about. But now the trailer for The CW’s canceled live-action Powerpuff Girls series is in the universe and good lord is it not good. 

Listen, I love Donald Faison just as much as anyone else. The same goes for Dove Cameron, with whom I am very familiar via the Descendants franchise. (Ease up off of me, I have two kids!) They are both great and endearing and all that.

RELATED ARTICLE

Live-Action POWERPUFF GIRLS No Longer in Development

I’m not as familiar with the other two actresses but I have no ill will against them at all. I’m sure they all did their best with the material given to them, which obviously wasn’t awesome.

EDITORS NOTE: Warner Bros keeps taking down the videos, so we’ll keep looking for replacements.

But this trailer for the canceled live-action Powerpuff Girls trailer is not good by any stretch of the imagination. It seems more like an SNL skit than a real series. It also somehow misses the point that the Professor was trying to create three normal girls but things went awry and he ended up with superpowered sweeties instead. It is truly baffling. While there are many canceled series that deserved more time, this is a choice that was probably for the best.

The CW

It remains to be seen if this trailer even stays online or not. I’d imagine The CW doesn’t care anymore and, if anything, might be cool with people seeing why the company chose to ax the series. Either way, here’s your weird thing for today. You’re welcome!

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AVENGERS: SECRET WARS Could Give Daredevil and Black Widow Their Iconic Marvel Comics Romance

In the Marvel universe, few heroes have as high a body count as Matt Murdock a.k.a. Daredevil. (And we don’t mean people he’s killed here, folks). Matt Murdock, Attorney-at-Law, has seemingly dated every woman in Marvel Comics that wasn’t already spoken for. Elektra, Karen Page, Echo, Black Cat; let’s just say the list is long. But one of Daredevil’s most long-lasting (and passionate) relationships was with fellow hero Natasha Romanoff a.k.a. the Black Widow. But we’ve never seen their romance in live-action before. It may seem impossible now considering Romanoff’s death but Avengers: Secret Wars might provide a way for fans to see Daredevil and Black Widow as a kickass couple on screen together.

Marvel ComicsDaredevil and Black Widow Become a Couple in the ’70s Marvel Comics

In the pages of Marvel Comics, Daredevil and Black Widow were both crimefighting and romantic partners for a good chunk of the 1970s. Marvel even renamed the original Marvel Daredevil series to Daredevil and the Black Widow from issue #192 in 1972 to #107 in 1974. Although Marvel renamed the series back to simply Daredevil, Natasha would remain Matt Murdock’s partner, protecting the streets of San Francisco through issue #124 in 1975. Comics readers took a liking to this coupling, which was seemingly a more functional version of DC’s Batman and Catwoman.

Marvel Comics

The duo were so popular, that model/actress Angela Bowie (David Bowie’s then-wife) bought the rights to Daredevil in 1975 in the hopes of producing a TV series about the Man Without Fear and the Russian super spy. Although they never filmed a pilot, they did shoot some wild promo photos for the unproduced series. The pair broke up in the comics not long after the show didn’t go forward, and Matt started dating socialite Heather Glenn. Natasha grew tired of how controlling Matt was, and when he returned to New York City, she stayed on the West Coast and founded the super team called the Champions.

Marvel Comics

Matt and Natasha remained close after their breakup, however. Actually, they have one of the healthier post-dating friendships in Marvel. They never became a couple again, but they fought side-by-side several times. And whenever they’d meet again, the chemistry was there and sparks would fly. But thanks to behind-the-scenes circumstances, the pair have never met, much less dated, in modern live-action media. This is despite Charlie Cox’s Daredevil and Scarlett Johansson’s Black Widow becoming household names thanks to their prominent roles in the MCU. And honestly, this is a darn shame.

Live-action Daredevil and Black Widow Never Had a Chance to Meet in the MCUMarvel Studios

When Charlie Cox debuted on Netflix’s Daredevil in 2015, it was unclear if his series even took place in the MCU. The Marvel Television shows didn’t have permission to bring in Marvel Studios characters and vice versa. Then, Netflix canceled Daredevil in 2018 and Natasha sacrificed her life to save the universe in Avengers: Endgame a year later. It seems the window for these two heroes to meet, much less get lovey-dovey, is no longer there. But in Avengers: Secret Wars, we might see Daredevil and Black Widow smooch and kick ass together, thanks to a little thing called Battleworld.

Avengers: Secret Wars Could Break Reality and Let Matt and Nat’s Love EmergeMarvel Comics

If Secret Wars follows the comics, the remains of various timelines will coalesce into one new reality, known as Battleworld. This patchwork planet is ruled with an iron fist by God Emperor Doom, soon to be portrayed by Robert Downey, Jr. In this hodgepodge world, one such realm could be from a world where Hawkeye sacrificed himself for the Soul Stone, not Natasha. And this Black Widow might meet and fall in love with our version of Daredevil in Secret Wars. Thanks to Multiversal shenanigans, we could finally see the pair together on screen at last.

Rumors about which actors will be in Avengers: Doomsday and Secret Wars continue to proliferate daily. And no one seems to be sure who is going to star in one (or both) films. Charlie Cox said he’s in Doomsday, then he retracted that statement. Is it because he’s actually in Secret Wars? And although Scarlett Johansson has not confirmed an MCU return, if the OG Avengers are returning, we doubt they’d leave her behind. Here’s hoping that the much-anticipated Avengers film will finally allow these star-crossed lovers to finally have their moment in the sun.

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Live-Action MONOPOLY Movie Adds DUNGEONS & DRAGONS Film’s Creative Duo as Writers

It’s time to say “Hi, Barbie!” to the Monopoly Man. We bet Margot Robbie is collecting much more than $200 as she passes through to producing her next movie, an adaptation of the Monopoly board game. Few details on the Monopoly movie are available at present, but we do know that Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves duo John Francis Daley and Jonathan Goldstein will write the film. That film was a fun ride that brought the tabletop game to live-action life, so its likely they can great the same kind of magic here.

Robbie, who saw great success with Barbie, and her company LuckyChap seem to be making strange movies based on unexpected gaming IP into their brand. First, we got news of a Sims movie on the horizon, and now there’s Monopoly. What will Robbie think of next? We guess we’ll have to roll the dice to find out.

Warner Bros./Hasbro

Lionsgate Motion Picture Group chair Adam Fogelson shared at CinemaCon that LuckyChap had “a clear point of view” for the Monopoly movie. But, of course, he did not offer more about what we might expect. We bet someone will be buying Park Place, though. And someone else will probably head to jail. Will the fierce family-rending aspect of the Monopoly game be front and center in Margot Robbie’s movie? We hope so. And we also vote for Ryan Gosling to bring the Monopoly Man to life. You know you want to see it.

Meanwhile, LuckyChap noted, “Monopoly is a top property — pun fully intended. Like all of the best IP, this game has resonated worldwide for generations, and we are so excited to bring this game to life alongside the wonderful teams involved at Lionsgate and Hasbro.”

Mostly, we just hope the popcorn buckets for the Monopoly movie will be shaped like the game pieces. The thimble has always been my favorite. We also can’t wait to see just what existential crisis this Margot Robbie film will bring us as we enter this new realm of game-based cinema.

Originally published April 10, 2024.

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New LEGO BEAUTY AND THE BEAST Castle Set Arriving April

LEGO announced a plethora of new sets for April, including a stunning recreation of the Beauty and the Beast Castle with everyone’s favorite characters as ten different minifigures and buildable characters. The set is quite large at 2,916 pieces. The LEGO Disney Beauty and the Beast Castle goes by set number 43263. LEGO has been doing big things recently, which for me includes things like announcing the upcoming release of official Bluey sets.

LEGO

The castle is based on the animated version of Beauty and the Beast from 1991. I would say sorry Emma Watson, but she has too many minifigures as Hermoine Granger anyway. The LEGO rendition of the castle has four stories filled with different scenes from the movie. Iconic locations like the “Tale as Old as Time” ballroom and the mysterious west wing of the castle where the enchanted rose lies.

The set is chock-full of intricate details, such as the Beast‘s claw marks on a painting of himself as a prince like seen in the film. Additionally, in the dining room, the tablecloth rotates so new dishes can be delivered to Belle. Just like we see in the “Be Our Guest” musical number.

LEGO

Of the 11 characters included in the set, five are minifigures, and the other six are buildable characters. Belle, the Beast, Gaston, LeFou, and Maurice are minifigures. Whereas Lumière, Fifi, Cogsworth, Mrs. Potts, Chip, and the dog Sultan are buildable figures.

LEGO

LEGO Insiders will be able to buy the set before the general public from April 1 to April 3. A LEGO Insiders account is free, so make sure to create one for early access to this and other sets. The castle’s general release date is April 4, retailing for a steep $279.99. Expensive LEGO sets? That really is the tale as old as time.

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A Guide to THE WHEEL OF TIME’s Regions and Locations

The Wheel of Time‘s world is sprawling and, for some, confusing. But fear not! We have a Wheel of Time map guide just for you, including important locations like Tanchico, the capital of Tarabon, Rhiudean in the depths of the Aiel Waste (or the Three-Fold Land as the Aiel themselves call it), and the Two Rivers, among many others.

Here’s a complete guide to the major regions, cities, and locations in The Wheel of Time series. For an overall interactive map, head to The Wheel of Timelines Map.

Wheel of Timelines Map The Wheel of Time Guide Map Jump To: Andor // Tar Valon // Cairhien // Tear // Shienar // Tarabon // The Aiel Waste // Illian // GhealdanAndor Prime Video

This is where our story (technically) began. The Two Rivers and Emond’s Field, where our five ta’veren are from, is at the easternmost edge of the region of Andor. Andor stretches from the Mountains of Mist to the River Erinin, and its capital city is Caemlyn. It is the largest and most powerful nation West of The Spine of the World, ruled by Queen Morgase, whose daughter Elayne is the heir to the throne. The region is central to the world in The Wheel of Time and is landlocked, with Cairhien to the West and the Almoth Plain to the East beyond the Mountains of Mist.

Andor has had a strong relationship with Tar Valon, the center of power for the Aes Sedai. Every Andoran queen must train in the White Tower before taking the throne. This is why Elayne was sent to train as an Aes Sedai. Queen Morgase’s advisor is Elaida Sedai, one of the most powerful living Aes Sedai.

Tar Valon Wheel of Timelines Map

Tar Valon is where the Amyrlin Seat, leader and Mother of the Aes Sedai order, holds power. It is an island in the middle of the river Erinin, bordering both Andor and Cairhien. Clearly, Tar Valon is a location that is incredibly important to the entirety of The Wheel of Time series. This is where two of our Two Rivers folk, Egwene and Nynaeve, learn to channel and use their power to eventually help Rand al’Thor fulfill his destiny as the Dragon Reborn. The White Tower is the Aes Sedai stronghold in Tar Valon. It is said to be one of the most beautiful structures in the Westlands, built by Ogiers (like our friend Loial!). In fact, the entirety of Tar Valon has Ogier influence in its architecture.

Across the Westlands, Tar Valon and the Aes Sedai are known and feared for their power. They are the only women in the world allowed to channel the One Power. They have different sections within them, and many play roles as advisors to rulers across the Westlands. 

CairhienPrime Video

Cairhien is another powerful city-state in the Westlands and home to Moiraine. She’s from a noble family, the House Damodred, and is actually the aunt of Elayne, Galad, and Gawyn through her brother. It is a city that is completely divided: the Foregate is the poorer region and the city proper is where the nobility lives. Rand’s story in Cairhien mostly happens with Selene (a.k.a. Lanfear the Forsaken) in the books and TV series. In the novels, Rand finds Selene lost in the woods, whereas in the series, he is actually in a relationship with Selene the innkeeper, outside the Foregate. 

Cairhien is one of the more dangerous places Rand ends up. In the books, he gets drawn into Daes Dae’mar, The Great Game of politics and secrets between the noble houses of Cairhien. In the show, the danger posed to him comes from many, including the noble houses, Selene/Lanfear, and eventually from the Aes Sedai who seek to cage him in the season two finale.

Tear Wheel of Timelines Map

Tear is a major region in the series and the home of the Stone of Tear. It is one of the richest nations in the land, as a major trade center and port. The Stone of Tear is known to be an impenetrable fortress, where the High Lords of Tear guard the sword Callandor, which can be wielded by the Dragon, and the Dragon alone. The saying goes, “Whoever holds the Stone of Tear is Lord of Tear, city and nation.” 

Callandor is basically The Wheel of Time’s version of Excalibur, one of many callbacks to Arthurian legend. Tear is home to both Min and Siuan Sanche, the Amyrlin Seat, and is a region that relies on its fishing industry and its trade.

The Wheel of Time Guide Map Jump To: Andor // Tar Valon // Cairhien // Tear // Shienar // Tarabon // The Aiel Waste // Illian // GhealdanShienar

Shienar is one of the five regions of the north alongside Kandor, Malkier, Saldaea, and Arafel which focused its nation on protecting against the Blight, the rot triggered by the Dark One’s power. The regions fight off waves of Trollocs and all kinds of beasts, protecting their own nations and those south of them.

Shienar is ruled by a lord, who we see in the first season of the TV series. Lord Agelmar (RIP) and his soldiers fight against the Blight. Shienar is also the second home to Lan, our favorite “stone-faced” (this is actually how he is described in the books) warder. Lan is the last king of Malkier, which fell victim to the Blight. Shienar is the last stop of the Two Rivers folk before they make it to the Eye of the World, freeing Ishamael and triggering the major battles between Rand and the Forsaken. 

Tarabon Ilze Kitshoff/Prime

Tarabon’s capital is Tanchico, which is where Nynaeve, Mat, Elayne, and Min go in pursuit of the Black Ajah. Tanchico is known to be a treacherous city with its own customs. Tarabon is ruled by a king and a Panarch, and has a government largely comprised by its nobility. The region, composed of mostly port cities, relies primarily on exports.

Tarabon also claims a stake in Almoth Plain, a region that has been disputed between Tarabon and Arad Doman. The largest city in the Almoth Plain is Falme, where Rand declared himself the Dragon, after facing off against Ishamael and the Seanchan.

The Aiel Waste a.k.a. The Three-Fold LandWheel of Timelines Map

The Aiel Waste, or the Three-Fold Land, as the Aiel themselves call it, is the homeland of the Aiel people, beyond the Spine of the World, the longest mountain range in the Westlands. 

We previously learned that Rand was actually born Aiel, on the slopes of Dragonmount, the mountain near Tar Valon, during the Aiel War. Despite his many denials of his heritage, Rand decides to go to the Aiel Waste to learn more about his birth parents’ people. In order to prove himself as the Dragon, or the Car’a’carn, Rand has to go through the trial of Rhiudean, like every other Aiel chief. The Aiel people are critical to Rand’s journey as the Dragon Reborn, and also to the journeys of both Moiraine and Egwene.

IllianWheel of Timeline Map

Since the showdown at Falme, the Horn of Valere is the object of much fanfare, and Illian is where the Great Hunt begins. The Hunters are commissioned in the Great Square of Tammaz in Illian, including Faile, a woman hunting for the Horn. Illian is ruled by a King and the Council of Nine and is sworn enemy to Tear. Illian, like the Seanchan and other nations, deals with infiltration by the Forsaken and is of strategic significance to the Dragon as well.

GhealdanPrime Video

Ghealdan is a small nation between the Mountains of Mist and Garen’s Wall. Its ruler is titled the Defender of Garen’s Wall. Ghealdan borders Andor to the north, and Amadicia, which is headquarters for the Whitecloaks, and Altara to the south. This region is where the false Dragon Logain declared himself the Dragon, and is where he was arrested and captured by the Aes Sedai. 

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Marvel Legends’ Doctor Doom Premium Helmet Is Worthy of Marvel’s Greatest Villain

For years, he’s been sidelined in less-than-stellar live-action adaptations. But now, Marvel Comics’ greatest villain of all time, Doctor Doom, is about to get his due in Avengers: Doomsday. But before Robert Downey Jr. puts on the iconic metal mask of Victor Von Doom in the MCU, you might want to honor the original Jack Kirby/Stan Lee version. And soon you can, with the new Marvel Legends Doctor Doom Premium Roleplay Helmet from Hasbro. (Thanos is so yesterday’s news.) You can check out several images of this incredible replica of the Latverian monarch’s helmet in our gallery below:

Click To View Gallery Marvel/Hasbro Hasbro/Marvel Marvel/Hasbro Hasbro/Marvel Marvel/Hasbro Hasbro/Marvel Marvel/Hasbro Hasbro/Marvel Marvel/Hasbro Hasbro/Marvel Marvel/Hasbro Hasbro/Marvel Marvel/Hasbro Hasbro/Marvel Marvel/Hasbro

Here’s the official description for the Marvel Legends Doctor Doom helmet from the folks at Hasbro:

Hasbro Marvel Legends proudly presents this 1:1 scale reproduction of Doctor Doom’s classic helmet! Roleplay helmet with premium design and deco is inspired by the character’s signature look in Marvel Comics. Marvel roleplay set comes with a green fabric hood inspired by Doctor Doom’s signature robe. Includes a stand and is great for displaying in fans’ collections or wearing with a Doctor Doom Halloween costume or Marvel cosplay. Imagine pitting the brilliant mind of Victor Von Doom against Reed Richards and the Fantastic Four! Bring comics-inspired scenes to life with Marvel Legends action figures, roleplay gear, and collectibles (each sold separately, subject to availability).

Hasbro/Marvel

This reproduction truly evokes Jack Kirby’s original design for Doctor Doom, as portrayed in the pages of Fantastic Four. It’s perfect for display, but thankfully it’s high quality enough to use for some excellent Latverian cosplay. You’ll put this on and instantly want to remind that cursed Reed Richards who is truly the smartest man on Earth. Priced at $99.99, pre-orders for the Marvel Legends Doctor Doom Roleplay helmet begin on March 6 at 1PM ET at Entertainment Earth and Amazon. This is one collectible Marvel Legends fans won’t want to miss out on.

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