Friday, October 24, 2025
Home Blog Page 759

20 Years of ‘Harry Potter’: How The Fandom Is Reclaiming Potter For Themselves

Jules
-
0
20 Years of ‘Harry Potter’: How The Fandom Is Reclaiming Potter For Themselves

Contributors: Jules, Kaity

A note: Aside from the 20th anniversary of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone, this week marks Transgender Awareness Week in both the United States and the United Kingdom. If you are interested in supporting the trans community or need resources yourself, you can find them for the US here and the U.K. here.

This week, the 20th anniversary of the premiere of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone brought complex feelings for fans of the beloved novels and films. One of the highest-grossing film series of all time, the Harry Potter juggernaut of books, films, video games, theme parks, and more remains one of the most valuable franchises ever from a pure profit perspective (not to mention its impact on a generation of writers and readers). But these works have been tarnished by author J.K. Rowling’s harmful and transphobic rhetoric, which is especially hurtful for LGBTQIA+ fans who found hope in Harry Potter. Fans who grew up learning about concepts like justice and standing up to corrupt institutions through the Wizarding World are now in a conflicted place: is there a way to celebrate the characters and stories we love without indirectly or directly supporting the abhorrent viewpoints of its creator?

Warner Bros.

Within the mainstream media, it’s impossible to separate the Potter phenomenon from its creator, largely due to the over-embellished Cinderella story surrounding Rowling and the Potter series. Harry Potter is presented not just as a stroke of creative brilliance that resulted in billions of dollars in revenue, it was a saving grace for a single mother depending on government assistance. The legend of J.K. Rowling notes that she wrote the Potter series on napkins, airplane sick bags, and supposedly even a dress that still hangs in her closet. So from the very beginning of Potter-phenomenon, Potter was not only a refuge for children but was also touted as an inspirational story for women around the globe.

The media and her publisher crafted the perfect rags-to-riches story for this blooming author, and while children soaked up the world of Hogwarts, witches and wizards, and magical creatures, women looked to Rowling as a source of inspiration. Those experiencing domestic violence, fellow single mothers struggling to put food on the table, and all others who felt they were trudging through mud in an attempt to keep up with male colleagues in their fields found a source of hope that Rowling managed to get her napkin-novel published after dozens of rejections, catapulting her into the billionaire class and a place amongst literary geniuses.

Rowling was branded as the epitome of women’s success. For aspiring writers, struggling mothers, and beyond, she was a beacon of hope in a world where women often fall short. So when her views on the trans community became apparent, suddenly this strong, powerful force was tainted. A woman who had provided hope for so many people suddenly felt compelled to out herself as intolerant of an already ostracized community, a message that opposes one she spent years of her life writing about. It hurt. A lot. It affected women who had looked to her as inspiration that they too could one day create a life better for themselves. It hurt the children who took refuge within the tolerant walls of Hogwarts. What happened to the creator who once tearfully told the world that “Hogwarts will always be there to welcome you home”? What were the people who had dedicated 20 years of their lives supposed to feel now that the creator of their favorite world now opposed their existence on a basic moral and fundamental level?

Adult fans of the series began to go over Rowling’s work with a fine-tooth comb. And as they did, they found that perhaps Hogwarts wasn’t as tolerant as they thought it had been. There are far fewer characters of color than there should be within a school as vast as Hogwarts, not to mention a complete dearth of canonically queer characters aside from Dumbledore (which was itself a proclamation made outside the text of the books itself — if you only read the books with no context, you’d be forgiven for missing this detail entirely). Beyond the fact that Voldemort and the Death Eaters are virtually a mirror of Hitler and the Nazi Party — the evil Lord and his army of Pure Bloods wanting to extinguish those not deemed Pure — there are other smaller noted slights and overall patterns of racial and ethnic prejudice.

Rowling’s transphobia is widely believed to have been in front of us all along in the form of one of the Potter world’s most loathed characters, the Daily Prophet reporter Rita Skeeter. Described as having a “heavily-jawed face,” “mannish hands,” and a “surprisingly strong grip,” alongside fake hair, nails, and even teeth, it’s clear what Rowling’s intentions were when describing this character. But negatively describing Skeeter’s appearance simply wasn’t enough. Skeeter is characterized as having masculine qualities while presenting as a woman, and she’s also an unregistered Animagus, making her ability to transform into a literal insect (a beetle) illegal. And not only is her Animagus ability illegal, but she uses it for harm on a consistent basis. This description was an active choice, and when you look back it is a wholly unnecessary example of Rowling’s glaring prejudices that she just couldn’t help but sneak in.

Warner Bros.

For queer fans especially, Harry Potter has been a refuge for years, which is why the transphobic views of its creator hurt even more. Harry’s life is not easy. He suffers many tragedies and is mistreated by the adults around him who desperately do not want him to be the wizard he is. But Harry gets to disappear to Hogwarts, a world full of magical people like him who see him as special. There, his personal trauma is a collective one, and in the end, light wins over darkness. Harry’s journey from a lonely boy literally trapped in a closet to a powerful wizard with loving friends and found family is more than just a bedtime story for LGBTQIA+ fans — it’s a wish-fulfillment fantasy. The Harry Potter fandom has historically been a welcoming place where many queer fans first found their “people” and grew into their true selves. Our queer identities and our Harry Potter identities became almost equally large parts of our lives, and they are inextricably linked. And therein lies the rub: to publicly support Harry Potter as a concept could lead to further attacks on our community (specifically our trans and gender non-conforming members), but to attempt to disengage entirely leads to a loss of identity and purpose for queer fans who found a home at Hogwarts and in the fandom.

Fandom Forward.

It also leads to tough choices for projects adjacent to Harry Potter but not affiliated with the films or Rowling herself. Fandom Forward (formerly the Harry Potter Alliance) is known for its grassroots activism, channeling the power of fandom into actionable social change. When Rowling’s stance became widely known, their work was called into question by association, leading to the name change and a new, less Potter-centric mission statement: “The stories we love bring us together, but the story of our world? That’s up to us.”

That mission statement should be adopted by the Potter fandom at large. We feel that by this point in the Harry Potter fandom story, the conversation is no longer led by Rowling. It is led by the fans as they add their perspectives through fan fiction, art, companion works, and more. Celebrating the fandom is not the same as celebrating the creator, and it’s time we stopped perpetuating the myth of this author (or, frankly, any author) being the proverbial font of wisdom and last word over characters and stories we love.

Some of the best Harry Potter content of the last few years has come from fans who are now adults creating for themselves, who are better positioned to critically examine the work they love. The brilliant Puffs, or Seven Increasingly Eventful Years at a Certain School of Magic and Magic is a loving parody that specifically celebrates “anyone who has never been destined to save the world.” Fan fiction has become a way for fans to right the wrongs in the canon narrative and provide new perspectives. Perhaps most importantly, artists who create their own beautiful merchandise allow fans to express their love without directing money towards the official channels.

Hunter Canning/PUFFS

There are ways to love Harry Potter without supporting Rowling, both from a financial perspective and an influence one. Jackson Bird, a previous Fandom Forward activist whose stunning book Sorted: Growing Up, Coming Out, and Finding My Place (A Transgender Memoir) is a must-read for anyone who wants to know how Harry Potter influenced a generation of queer kids, described his views in a column for The New York Times in 2019:

“Anytime she or the franchise’s decisions have sparked tension with my own ideologies, I think about what the real magic of Harry Potter is to me. It’s not the theme park in Orlando or trademarked merchandise, or even the deluge of information Ms. Rowling continues to release about the fictional universe on Pottermore. Those things have never been my favorite part of Harry Potter, though now I may avoid them more intentionally. The real magic for me is what people have created around the books and the community we have built together.”

The question of whether continuing to be a fan of Harry Potter lends support to a harmful cause is not one with a clear-cut answer, nor is there one correct path to take. It’s easy enough to say to “grow up” and “move on” from Harry Potter (and indeed, that has been one side of this debate that has grown louder in recent weeks with the ramp-up in anniversary content). But Harry Potter was and is more than a childhood comfort for many people. It’s where we found friends in the fandom and where we escaped to when real life was too difficult. And at this point, the fandom no longer belongs to its original creator. It belongs to the fans who have shared their time and their talents not just on loving Harry Potter but also on changing the world through their activism. Potterheads have reclaimed the series for themselves, and at this stage, only one quote from the franchise is needed.

“We’ve all got both light and dark inside us. What matters is the part we choose to act on. That’s who we really are.”

‘Oasis Knebworth 1996’ Review: A Must-See Nostalgic Experience

Lindsey
-
0
‘Oasis Knebworth 1996’ Review: A Must-See Nostalgic Experience

The highly anticipated Oasis Knebworth 1996 is now officially available on Paramount+. Directed by Grammy Award winner Jake Scott, this documentary celebrates one of the most iconic live concerts to take place in the last 25 years, featuring extensive and never-before-seen archival concert and backstage footage, plus interviews with the band and event organizers.

Taking place over the course of two record-breaking nights on August 10 and 11 in 1996, over a quarter of a million music fans from all over the world converged on Knebworth Park, Hertfordshire in England to watch these legendary Oasis shows, which broke every U.K. box office record when they sold out in less than 24 hours.

This concert film serves not only as a snapshot of an unforgettable moment in time, but also as a love letter to the fans that were a part of it. There’s a reverent yet giddy vibe throughout that conveys how much of a once in a lifetime experience this really was.

The documentary as a whole is comprised of a patchwork of shots from various sources that were seamlessly tied together to tell the full story, including interviews with the eager crowd as they waited for the show to start. But the most prominent throughout is the official footage of Oasis playing both evenings, which is a mixture of wide, sweeping shots of the stage and the crowd (which help give viewers an idea of just how big this show really was), and close-ups of the band. Despite being recorded outdoors, at night, in the mid-90s, the clear imagery and crisp sound quality are both equally impressive (and a live album from the shows was just released by Big Brother Recordings).

Footage from other sources is interspersed with the official shots, carefully timed to fit in at the right moments during each song. And credit is particularly owed to the lengths the editing team went to when cutting shots of the crowd singing along to fit perfectly with the audio and hunting down clips of small but significant moments discussed in the voiceover interviews with fans.

From beginning to end, the film is narrated by a series of commentary from the band, concert organizers, and fans, which helps paint a much fuller picture than simply watching the concert alone. Overall, the effort put in to make Oasis Knebworth 1996 a cinematic experience shines through clearly, serving to heighten the experience for audiences watching in theaters or at home.

While the film largely documents the concert itself, it also details the anticipation of the moments leading up to it, including the mad dash to obtain tickets through overloaded phone lines — as this takes place well before the days of buying concert tickets on the internet — and the ceaseless buzz of elation for those who managed to get through. Most of the documentary is archival footage, but these in-between moments appear in the form of tasteful and period-appropriate reenactments. They’re brief and straightforward so as not to detract from the integrity of the film itself and help to carry the story forward in a chronological nature.

The most enjoyable part about the documentary, ultimately, is the way that it manages to capture and convey the sheer, unabashed excitement and energy radiating from the crowd. It gives viewers a taste of the gravity of how incredible it was to witness Oasis play two extraordinary sets, packed with many of their best songs, at the pinnacle of their success. Whether you were lucky enough to have been there, or if you’re experiencing the footage of these shows for the very first time, Oasis Knebworth 1996 is a must-see for any and all fans of Oasis.

Oasis Knebworth 1996 is now streaming on Paramount+ in the U.S., Latin America, Australia, the Nordics, and Canada, and it will be available to stream in the U.K. next year. Fans located outside of these markets will have an opportunity to watch it on MTV. The film is now available on DVD and Blu-ray as well.

‘Supernatural’ One Year Later: How the Show’s Legacy Continues To Carry On

Jules
-
0
‘Supernatural’ One Year Later: How the Show’s Legacy Continues To Carry On

Authors: Jules, Kenedi

One year ago today, the Winchester brothers said goodbye for the last time after 15 seasons of saving people and hunting things — the family business. Supernatural had long been a rarity in the world of fandom, the “little show that could” that somehow carried on through a writer’s strike, ratings highs and lows, and in the end, a global pandemic to become one of the most beloved genre shows of all time. Even today, new viewers are finding the series through its instant availability on Netflix and its emerging popularity on apps like TikTok. This begs an interesting question: how can anyone begin to discuss the legacy of a series that, for all intents and purposes, appears to be doing anything but going gently into that good night of dead fandoms and TNT reruns? 

On this first anniversary of the show’s conclusion, we would like to try to celebrate Supernatural as the one in a million series it is. Supernatural isn’t just a unique show because of what ended up on screen or trended on Twitter. What makes Supernatural special, and has from the start, is its fans. For 15 years, the SPN Family raised millions for charity and changed the modern landscape of fandom. You cannot have a serious conversation about nerd culture in this decade and not include Supernatural, and that is down to the thousands of dedicated people who have launched charity campaigns, packed convention halls, created fanworks, and in general shown up for Supernatural and its stars for years. 

Doing Good: The SPN Family Business

One of the defining characteristics of the SPN Family is its propensity towards doing good. Over the years, the word charity has become synonymous with the fandom; the amount of money that this group of fans has collectively raised is astounding. While there’s no official count, the number is definitively in the millions. However, the impact of this drive cannot be limited to looking at financial gain. The works of this fandom have enabled a multitude of worthy causes to be supported in a myriad of different ways, all by creating a culture of caring. Over the years, mobilizing the force of people’s love for this show for the good of others has become ingrained into the intrinsic fabric of the fandom’s culture, something that has been demonstrated time and time again.

The fans aren’t the only ones who have repeatedly displayed this ability to mobilize for good. Many of the actors of Supernatural have led a variety of philanthropic campaigns targeted at tackling a large array of issues, supporting organizations like the American Heart Association, Animal Allies, True Colors United, American Stroke Association, Equal Hope, and many more. Their 2018 Bad Idea Tour mobilized crowds to support cast members as they ran the Seattle Marathon, ultimately raising $240,000 for a variety of causes including fighting childhood hunger.

One of the most well-known efforts spearheaded by one of the actors of the show is Jared Padalecki’s Always Keep Fighting Campaign. Padalecki has long been open about his struggles with depression and anxiety, using his platform to bring awareness to the issue that has long been stigmatized in the media industry.

Since the launch of Always Keep Fighting in 2015, the actor has worked to help support a multitude of organizations dedicated to educating the public about mental health struggles and supporting people affected by them, including To Write Love On Her Arms (TWLOHA), Attitudes in Reverse, The Pack Fund (a joint fund set up by Padalecki and Jensen Ackles supporting various causes and promoting mental health awareness), and more. Throughout the years, Padalecki has partnered with organizations such as Represent and Stands for a myriad of shirt campaigns, with the proceeds going towards organizations like the ones mentioned above. Always Keep Fighting has been a beacon to many fans struggling with mental health and is one of the reasons this fandom has become such champions for the cause. The lasting legacy of this campaign continues to prove this every day.

Another well-known mental health campaign created by Ackles and Collins was the #SPNFamily Crisis Support Network — established in partnership with Random Acts, TWLOHA, and IMAlive. This project resulted in the creation of an online support network aimed at helping fans cope with mental health issues. Features of the service included training for fans willing to be crisis responder volunteers, immediate access to support lifelines for people in crisis, and local resources for people needing additional assistance. The campaign project was kicked off by Ackles and Collins launching their “You Are Not Alone” T-shirt campaign raising funds for the network, well known partly as a result of their comedic videos promoting the campaign. The endeavor was immensely successful, with Collins reporting within the first four days that 10,000 shirts had been sold and 1,500 fans had volunteered to become crisis responders.

Random Acts

When talking about the Supernatural cast in conjunction with charity, there’s one other prominent endeavor that cannot be ignored: Random Acts. Founded in 2010 by Misha Collins after an earthquake in Haiti caused extensive damage, Random Acts has grown into a charity dedicated to inspiring acts of kindness around the globe, dedicated to proving that “you too can conquer the world one random act of kindness at a time,” no matter how big or small. 

Aside from Collins, other actors from the show like Genevieve Padalecki and Danneel Ackles have been involved in the nonprofit’s quest for good, most notably Rachel Miner, the organization’s Executive Director. Additionally, many of the organization’s staff members (who dedicate their time on a 100% volunteer basis) are members of the fandom whose passions have led them to serve their greater global community. Random Acts has successfully initiated many projects large and small aimed at improving the lives of people all over the world — like the construction of a free school in Nicaragua. Moreover, the organization frequently helps sponsor countless small-scale projects in people’s local communities.

These actor-led efforts (among many others that we would love to explore if we had the space) display how the Supernatural fandom’s culture of caring is a phenomenon that extends from the top down, as many of the cast members have continuously worked to use their platforms to make a difference in the world in both tangible and emotionally palpable ways. 

One of the most pertinent examples of how the Supernatural fandom regularly channels its collective power for the good of others is GISH. For those who are unfamiliar, GISH (formerly known as GISHWHES) stands for the Greatest International Scavenger Hunt (the World Has Ever Seen). This annual, world record-breaking affair is a week-long, jam-packed event that mobilizes the forces of weird for good. Created by Misha Collins, GISH features a plethora of wacky activities that allow you to unleash your creativity through ridiculously zany (yet fun) challenges (such as running around a real-life particle accelerator dressed as The Flash, or making Christmas trees float), all while making a positive impact on the global community.

Quite a few unique factors combined to result in the creation of this strange yearly (sometimes more than yearly with the relatively new introduction of mini hunts) event. The idea primarily grew out of an experience Collins had in college: the University of Chicago’s annual scavenger hunt. However, it wasn’t until 2010, when publicists at The CW were pushing for Supernatural to leap to the front of polls for the People’s Choice Awards, that Collins found a unique way to engage the show’s audience. Collins sent out scavenger hunt prompts to fans in hopes of encouraging engagement (which he found enjoyable), and shortly after in 2011, GISH was officially born.

Since then, GISH has only grown — in participant numbers and scale. Each year, the lists get wackier and wackier, and tens of thousands of fans continue to prove their might as thousands and thousands of dollars are raised for a multitude of purposes — from rescuing refugees in Cambodia and Laos to donating millions of meals to fight food insecurity.

And yet despite all of these wonderful ventures, perhaps the greatest examples of how the SPN Family has managed to come together again and again over the years is displayed through the amazing efforts that the fandom has perpetuated amongst themselves without direction from the cast or crew. From kidney donations to fundraisers for fellow fans going through extreme hardships, this community has always answered the call to mobilize for a good cause when needed. Some of the most recent and notable campaigns to come into fruition were ones spawned right after the show’s conclusion honoring the characters’ legacies. One of the most notable of these was The Castiel Project. 

Supporting The Trevor Project, an organization dedicated to providing support to LGBTQIA+ youth, this campaign was aimed at honoring the angel’s journey throughout the course of the show, which culminated in his character’s swan song: revealing his love for Dean Winchester and coming out as queer. This campaign has raised over $70,000 since its debut. Similar campaigns were launched in Dean and Sam Winchester’s honor, supporting mental health awareness and providing emergency assistance for college youth, respectively. These are only three examples in a sea of many, but it only goes to show how strong of a propensity the members of this fandom possess for working to make the world a better place — one cause at a time.

Family Don’t End in Blood

Of course, the fandom as it exists today wouldn’t be so willing to throw itself into those charitable endeavors if it wasn’t for the show itself. One aspect of Supernatural that’s always set it apart is the way it uses meta storytelling to have a dialogue with fans. The intelligent writing trusted that audiences would be able to follow what was going on and enjoy it. And enjoy it they did, though Supernatural still had a small audience compared to its network brethren in those early years. Episodes like “Fan Fiction” explicitly acknowledged fans’ role in keeping the show alive. Fan passion for the show is the reason the Wayward Sisters pilot even existed. Castiel’s canon confirmation of queerness was the result of a decade of LGBTQIA+ fans and a later generation of writers (who started as fans of the show themselves) recognizing its importance and fighting for it. 

The CW

Fandoms frequently shrink after series finales regardless of the size of its original audience, but the Supernatural fandom is just as active now as it was when the show was airing. Conventions featuring actors from the series still sell out regularly, and Supernatural is still topping Netflix streaming charts. This is a result of many factors, from new fans joining by bingeing the full series, to former fans returning to the show for its final episodes and being reminded of why they loved it in the first place. But the biggest credit for the Supernatural fandom enduring must be given to fans. With their art, stories, and drive to discuss the nuances of the show, they are ensuring that the show lives on and will be appreciated for decades to come. 

Supernatural has rightfully attained icon status within the genre community, reaching the Doctor Who level of ubiquity that allows other shows to reference it with the assumption that its audience will understand the reference. It’s dissected by scholars regularly, both for its unique fandom and for its storytelling. Supernatural has long been underrated by critics, shoved into the “genre show” box that until recently was seen as lesser (ironically, Supernatural creator Eric Kripke’s newest show The Boys has been a large part of breaking that boundary). 

Cate Cameron/The CW

But those who watch Supernatural know that in terms of emotional impact on the audience, Supernatural far outshines any mainstream series. Audiences are sucked in by the characters in a way that’s rarely seen, identifying with characters on such a deep level that it impacts their lives outside the fandom. As the Winchesters grew up, so did we. As they began to reckon with the darker parts of themselves, we did too. Fictional stories have an impact on real life — we’ve known this for a long time — but the bond fans have with the characters of Supernatural is different. 

We felt their triumphs and defeats weekly for 15 years. We know them in a way that’s unique, even for genre television. In some cases, we know them better than we know people in our “real” lives. The longer you stay within the Supernatural world, the more Sam, Dean, Castiel, and the others begin to feel like old friends rather than fictional characters or actors saying lines. 

It’s this devotion and deep understanding that transcends opinions on individual arcs or episodes. After all, there isn’t a show out there that’s so perfect that every storyline is beloved (especially not one that has lasted this long). But fans stuck by the show through it all because they saw themselves in the characters. As the end approached, fans weren’t just watching the last moments in the story of Dean, Sam, and Castiel — they were losing dear friends. No matter how the show chose to wrap up, it was going to hurt. It’s why it was so difficult to say goodbye. 

So what is the ultimate legacy of Supernatural, after all this time? We would argue that it is love: love between fans, between communities impacted by the SPN Family’s generosity, between the characters of Supernatural and the viewers. Love is messy and complicated. It’s not pure, and it doesn’t always come naturally. But it endures despite challenges and tests, and it is intensely personal for each person who experiences it. Supernatural has been a safe haven for its fans for years, a world they could return to when they needed refuge from the monsters lurking in the dark in real life. It will remain a place of comfort and hope for many people, and that legacy is the greatest one there can be for a work of fiction, beyond awards or “best of” lists. 

Supernatural has left a tangible impact on the lives of so many — both inside and outside the fandom. Whether you loved, hated, or felt nothing in particular about the show’s finale, the passion viewers have for Supernatural should not be altered by one of 327 total hours we spent with the Winchesters. From constantly dealing in the currency of kindness through charitable works and more to the irreplaceable atmosphere and bond between fans and actors alike, there will never be another television show that offers an experience like this one. So here we are, one year later, choosing to celebrate the camaraderie, the community, and the enormous amount of good that this “little show that could” brought into the world — something that shows no sign of petering out anytime soon. As the fans know, as long as there are people out there creating, reminiscing, and championing for good, the SPN Family will carry on.

‘Foundation’ Recap: Season 1, Episode 10 “The Leap”

Julia
-
0
‘Foundation’ Recap: Season 1, Episode 10 “The Leap”

Last week on Foundation, Salvor gained control of Invictus, and she and the Anacreons are back on Terminus. Brother Dawn faces a hefty betrayal from Azura, and Hari Seldon returns. This episode, we learn how Hari wound up in the vault. Dawn faces consequences, and Salvor decides to pursue a major revelation. Read on to find out what happens in “The Leap.”

Warning: Spoilers beyond this point.

Hari Seldon Lives Again

foundation season finale
Apple TV+

The episode opens with Hari’s casket heading towards a sun, where it’s disintegrated then reassembled, transforming into the vault. On Terminus, he comments on the Anacreons and Thespins not attacking each other. Everyone should work together. He brings up their history (much to their annoyance), revealing that what they thought caused their conflict was orchestrated by the second cleon. He mentions the advantage Invictus gives them, and they can use it. Hari also learns Gaal never made it to Terminus. And shakes Terminus’ faith in him.

Hari assures all the work hasn’t been in vain. The Foundation is about people, not knowledge. He wants them to make the stories the Empire suffocated breath once more. He tells them how to use Invictus to stop the Empire’s investigations. However, it’s not a permanent solution. War is inevitable.

Before he goes back to the vault, the kids ask him if he’s the ghost. He explains how the casket and a pill he took several episodes earlier allowed his being to be destroyed and recycled. In turn, the vault was created. But he was still asleep. He woke up when the Anacreons came, and the null field expanded. He turns to leave and Salvor stops him. She wants to know why he sent her the visions. Hari doesn’t know her though, and he admits it wasn’t him.

A Legacy Destroyed

foundation season finale
Apple TV+

In the replacement clone room, Dusk and Day briefly discuss Dawn. Day goes to talk with Dawn, sharing how the rebels sabotaged his nanobot regiment. Dawn explains the ways he knew he was different from the others. Despite his sadness over this, he thinks there’s more to their lives than being perfect replicas. Day disagrees and leaves.

Day heads to where they’re keeping Azura. He frees her from her restraints, and they walk through the garden. Day tells her why he rules the way he does. He also shares that he wants to be better than the cleons that came before him. Day continues, asking about legacy, mentioning his and how he also views Dawn as his son. He says Azura ruined his legacy with her betrayal. He reveals that the Empire tracked down over 1,000 people connected to Azura. On his signal, they’ll all be dead, and so he makes the signal. He closes the conversation by telling Azura she’ll be locked in a cell, restrained and sensory shrouded for the rest of her life.

Rebuilding the Foundation

Mari and Salvor talk about Hari. Mari is upset that Hari withheld information and outright lied. Regardless, she still believes in the Foundation. Similarly, Salvor is also disappointed about Hari. If he wasn’t giving her the visions, then who? She feels that all this time, she wasn’t special. Mari reassures her.

Then Salvor finds Rowan, who’s working on a small memorial for Phara. Salvor apologizes and voices her respect for Phara. Rowan isn’t sorry, though. He offers Phara’s bow to Salvor, saying Phara also respected Salvor in her own way. He then asks Salvor to help plant an Anacreon tree, and she agrees.

A time-lapse shows the tree growing. Around it, the Foundation expands. The people really did take Hari’s words to heart. In space, a crew works to repair Invictus, and Hugo is their captain. They set the flare as Hari told them. For now, Terminus is free from the Empire.

Salvor Needs Answers

Hugo and Salvor sleep and Salvor has a dream of herself in Gaal’s body again. She wakes and heads out to examine the vault from a distance. A girl runs towards the vault, and Salvor chases after her. When the girl turns, it’s a young Gaal. She dives into the ground (simulating water), and Salvor approaches the vault. She wants to know who is giving her the visions.

Salvor goes to talk with Mari. The two briefly reminisce about Salvor’s father before Salvor rips the band-aid off and asks about “the girl from the water planet.” Mari reveals she only carried Salvor, but her DNA comes from Gaal and Raych. Salvor shares that she thinks the ghost kids are Gaal and Raych; she’s seeing their memories. If one of them was special, it would explain why she is too. She asks about Gaal’s cryo pod, but Mari can’t give an exact location. So, Salvor decides she’s going to go find Gaal. Tonight. Before she leaves, Mari gives her a whistle and the prime radiant.

Salvor reaches her ship, about to climb aboard. Hugo finds her just in time, though. They share a teary goodbye and Salvor is on her way.

Breaking Dawn

foundation season finale
Apple TV+

Demerzal summons Dawn and brings him to the throne room, where he faces Day and Dusk. Day shares about his trip to Maiden. And, as it turns out, he did learn something after all. He admits that perhaps it is time the Empire bends. This infuriates Dusk. The two get into a shouting match. As they argue, Dawn turns and hugs Demerzal for comfort. Just as Dusk declares the Empire bends to no one, Demerzal snaps Dawn’s neck, which silences Day and Dusk. She reminds the brothers that she’s loyal to the Empire. Dusk orders a replacement clone to be ready by breakfast. He and Demerzal leave Day to mourn at Dawn’s side.

Later, Dusk throws his tray of magic paint sand at the mural he painted of Dawn’s hunt, ruining it. Meanwhile, Day brings Dawn to be disintegrated. As he begins to cry, the Shadow Master finds him. He shares that there’s more information on the rebels’ DNA theft. They go to where the first cleon is, and Shadow Master reveals this plan has been in action for much, much longer, implying since as early as the first cleon. All replacement clones were sabotaged. Day realizes it means he and Dusk are both impure. When he’s alone again, Day uses a large candlestick holder to smash the first cleon’s case.

The Fate of Gaal Dornick

foundation season finale
Apple TV+

In the Blue Drift, 138 years later, Gaal reaches Synnax. Her cryo pod lands in the ocean, and she deploys a rowboat. As she does, she realizes only ocean surrounds her. The only trace of the planet she once called home is underwater, save for a partially submerged structure. Gaal begins to mourn when a flashing red light underwater catches her attention. She dives in to investigate. The light is coming from what appears to be a ship. Soon, she finds an inhabited cryo pod. She frees the person (who can only be Salvor) and brings them up to the structure.

The person stirs, and we see Salvor. But she doesn’t spot Gaal just yet. Salvor explains she crash-landed while she was looking for someone. Gaal asks who. Salvor sees her, and says, “You.” Gaal is wary of this stranger who was looking for her. Salvor introduces herself, reveals Gaal is her mother, and presents the prime radiant.

Foundation season 1 is streaming now on Apple TV+. Keep an eye out for season 2 news. In the meantime, find the rest of our recaps here, and check out our Beyond article for star Lee Pace (Brother Day) here.

20 Years of ‘Harry Potter’: The Best Sirius & Remus Movie Moments

Kaity
-
0
20 Years of ‘Harry Potter’: The Best Sirius & Remus Movie Moments

It’s the 20th anniversary of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone releasing in theaters and we’re celebrating a little by highlighting one of our favorite Potter duos, Remus Lupin and Sirius Black.

Friends since they were children, and two of the four famed Marauders, Remus and Sirius had a rocky few years, but after the air was cleared they got a glorious two years back together again. Sirius’ death is still one of the worst of the series, but Remus’ was softened by knowing he went to spend eternity with three of his best friends — James, Lily, and Sirius — and his wife, Tonks.

To commemorate two of fan fiction authors’ favorite characters, let’s take a look back at the duo’s best moments.

When Remus Discovers the Truth

Warner Bros.

While it’s not shown on screen, we all know what happens after Remus confiscates the Marauder’s Map from Harry in the corridors after he catches him out of bed.

The bombshell about Peter Pettigrew is dropped as Harry pursued him through the castle, after which he told Lupin that the map (which Harry has no idea Remus helped create) was wrong. But Remus knew the map never lies. Not only was this moment important for Sirius, as he finally gained an ally, but Remus learned the truth about his best friend’s innocence. It’s no doubt the last remaining member of the Marauders carried a pang of immense guilt throughout the years about what happened to all four of his best friends, and the relief the Remus must have felt after he put the pieces together was likely unimaginable.

The Reunion

Warner Bros

Audiences (who hadn’t read the books) were thrown for a loop when it was discovered Remus had sided with Sirius, something Professor Snape had mentioned being a possibility earlier in the film. Seeing Remus and Sirius together again, quarreling like an old married couple as Snape said, had us all breathing a sigh of relief once all the dust had settled. Remus was willing to risk his life and reputation to save his best friend from a fate he didn’t deserve and honestly, we all deserve a friendship like theirs.

Thankfully, Harry’s trust in Remus also aided Sirius in getting a few moments to explain his story and in turn, gain Harry’s allegiance as well.

Getting Justice For James, Lily, and Harry

Vengeance is sweet, and it’s even sweeter after 12 years of waiting (in Azkaban!). Sirius and Remus finally got to hand out justice to the reason James and Lily are dead after forcing Pettigrew out of his Animagus form. The truth is revealed, but unfortunately not to anyone who can solve Sirius’ fugitive dilemma. But Harry knows the truth, and so does Remus, which in the end grants Sirius all he needs to still be able to live out the rest of his days.

By the Light of the Moon

Warner Bros.

Discovering that James, Sirius, and Peter became Animagi to help Remus with his lycanthropy was one of the most heartwarming Marauder moments we got (because we didn’t get many), and after the Shrieking Shack Sirius was now the last man standing. When the moon bared its shining face on the trio, Sirius, Peter, and unfortunately Remus, Sirius was ready to jump right back into action all these years later to try and help his best friend through these harrowing moments. He saved the trio from Lupin in his unrestrained state, injuring himself gravely in the process.

This moment certainly poses the question of just how often Sirius threw his wellbeing to the wayside to help Remus through a full moon. While Lupin typically had a Wolfsbane potion to help him sleep through his transformation, there had to have been a few instances where something much like what happened on this night was needed.

Back at 12 Grimmauld Place

Warner Bros.

After the return of Voldemort a year after Sirius’ escape, the Order of the Phoenix revived itself and was headquartered in Sirius’ ancient childhood home 12 Grimmauld Place. It was here that Sirius was commanded to stay by Dumbledore, due to his status of still being wanted for his escape from Azkaban, and of course, Remus is with him.

While we don’t get any confirmation of it, it’s not a stretch to say these two caught up after 12 years apart. Remus and Sirius, of course, are also valued members of the Order and work alongside the entire organization in an attempt to bring down Voldemort once again.

Fighting Side by Side Again One Last Time

Cue the ugly crying. Sirius and Remus got to fight against the forces of evil one last time together at the Ministry of Magic, this time to do what they couldn’t do the first time: save the Potters (well, just one this time). Sirius breaks Dumbledore’s rule to head out to save his godson, Remus and the Order with him. They proved to be a force to be reckoned with, Sirius with his quick wit and Remus’ steady quiet and skillful presence almost won them the battle. Until Bellatrix landed the spell that broke millions of hearts.

Remus never got to properly grieve in those moments after watching his best friend of three decades slip into the veil, but he knew that Sirius’ place in Harry’s life would need to be filled. And that was a role Remus knew Sirius would want him to take. And he did.

In the end, Harry ended up giving Remus what Remus, and Sirius, had given him when he remained a steadfast presence in the life of Teddy, Remus and Tonks’ son.

Finally, please give us the Marauders era series we’ve been wanting for … well, about 20 years now. Books, a series, a film, we don’t care, anything to quell the need for mischievous content will do. However, until then, a deep dive into the fandom’s incredible Marauder creations will have to do.

The entire Potter film collection is currently available to stream on HBO Max. Stay tuned for more Potter celebrations throughout the week!

‘The Shrink Next Door’ Recap: Episode 4 “The Foundation”

Kaity
-
0
‘The Shrink Next Door’ Recap: Episode 4 “The Foundation”

Last week in episodes 1-3, Marty and Phyllis went from idyllic siblings to enemies, and Dr. Ike has infiltrated Marty’s life in almost every way while learning the extent of Marty’s wealth. Will Marty press charges on Phyllis for stealing? And is Marty going to start catching on to Ike’s true intentions?

Dr. Ike Becomes a Father

Apple TV+

It’s twin girls for Dr. Ike and Bonnie! Some time has passed since the previous episode, enough time for Bonnie to get pregnant and give birth. While Ike is trying to mask his disappointment in the genders of his children, it’s not hard to see Ike was absolutely wanting a boy. This becomes even more evident when a sandwich platter for 50 gets delivered to the apartment as a pre-order for an anticipated bris ceremony.

A little bit more about Ike’s upbringing was also revealed when Bonnie reminds Ike he doesn’t have to try and impress his father anymore. Clearly, there are some feelings of animosity and inadequacy present in Ike born from his father. This could absolutely be fueling Ike’s fervent need to prove himself as worthy.

Bonnie is overwhelmed, as one would expect, and Ike refuses to hire the nanny Bonnie was recommended to help her. However, Bonnie states she’ll “use her own money” to fund the help, and it raised the question of where Bonnie is getting money? Was Bonnie bestowed a hefty inheritance that Ike is also trying to get his hands on?

Ike’s Hold on Marty Is Still Growing

Ike is still working at AFC as the staff psychologist, and he’s racking up the expenses. Not only is he being paid a full-time salary, but he’s ordered a new fancy coffee maker, has candy for “executives only,” and managed to get himself an office with a very expensive desk. And all of this, again, on Marty’s dime. However, profits are up according to Marty, but the gains in revenue are being offset by Ike’s expenses.

Marty still hasn’t spoken to Phyllis either, and we know it’s been at least nine months since we last met up with Marty, Phyllis, and Ike. In fact, Marty sent Phyllis a birthday card filled with confetti, confetti of her face cut out of every family photo Marty owns. So, needless to say, Ike is still keeping Phyllis and Marty miles apart despite the two being in the same city. He’s threatened by her.

The Yaron Foundation

While we’d like to believe that Ike’s intentions in starting a charitable foundation with Marty are decent, we know they are not. What started as an innocent conversation about legacies turned into Ike swindling Marty into starting a charity foundation, no doubt to help Ike gain notoriety with the upper class.

The pair heads to the bank to begin their venture and even the bank teller is shocked that the foundation will be a 50/50 split after Marty invests over $100,000 compared to Ike’s measly $2,500 that was only given to gain access to the accounts.

This turns out to be the case when Ike persuades (forces) Marty to shell out $6,000 for a table at the Pen Gala, a prestigious event where Ike wants to debut their brand new foundation. In the process, Ike swipes two blank checks from the books and no doubt has ill intentions.

At the event, Ike spends his time flitting from person to person, taking photos, being the over-the-top version of himself Bonnie accused of him being when she declined the invitation to attend with him. He’s so thrilled with being someone he forgets who he is, if he even really knows, and gets so caught up he spends $20,000 in an auction on a signed Mickey Mantle baseball, much to Marty’s dismay. Oddly enough, he’s also listed as a special contributor to the event, raising the question of whether or not one of those swiped checks went to getting his name printed as a beneficiary.

Speaking of the swiped checks, he definitely used one to get his daughters into that prestigious school after making a donation. Will Marty ever figure it out?

Heart Eyes for Hannah

Apple TV+

Marty meets Hannah, and like Marty, it was life at first sight. She’s an employee at the frame store, and her charm and Marty’s chemistry are off the charts. Ike uses Hannah as the nail in the coffin to get Marty to agree to the Pen Gala, and she attends as Marty’s date for the evening. And she catches on to Ike’s nonsense just as quickly, if not faster, than Phyllis did. Marty and Hannah have a great time, but Hannah can see right through Ike and his manipulation, and blatant robbery of Marty at this point.

At the end of the night, after the auction, Marty has a heart attack, landing him in the hospital. After a quick visit with Marty to check in on him, Ike pays Hannah a visit at work to tell her that perhaps she shouldn’t pursue a relationship with Marty anymore. This wasn’t shocking, as Ike clearly sees her as a threat now just as he had Phyllis.

Will Hannah heed Ike’s warning? Or will she try and save Marty from the blatant manipulation?

Episodes 1-4 of The Shrink Next Door are available exclusively on Apple TV+. Episode 5 will release Friday, November 26. Be sure to keep up with our continuing coverage of the series!

‘Riverdale’: New Synopsis Released for Season 6, Episode 2 “Chapter Ninety-Seven: Ghost Stories”

Megan
-
0
‘Riverdale’: New Synopsis Released for Season 6, Episode 2 “Chapter Ninety-Seven: Ghost Stories”

The five-episode “Rivervale” event of Riverdale has premiered and The CW has finally released the synopsis for the second episode, “Chapter Ninety-Seven: Ghost Stories.” Just from the title, it seems the the Town of Rivervale will be getting their own taste of ghost stories.

The full synopsis for “Chapter Ninety-Seven: Ghost Stories” reads:

“THE HAUNTING OF RIVERVALE — A vengeful spirit from folklore, la Llorona arrives in Rivervale to terrorize the rainy town. Betty (Lili Reinhart) and Toni (Vanessa Morgan) find themselves in the specter’s path and must seek Cheryl’s (Madelaine Petsch) help to protect the children in Rivervale, including Baby Anthony. Meanwhile, Jughead (Cole Sprouse) and Tabitha (Erinn Westbrook), along with Veronica (Camila Mendes) and Reggie (Charles Melton), experience their own hauntings that begin to put a strain on their respective relationships.”

Check out photos from the episode here and the promo here. “Chapter Ninety-Seven: Ghost Stories” premieres this Tuesday, November 23 at 9 p.m. ET/8 p.m. CT on The CW, streaming free the next day on The CW app!

‘Nightmare Alley’: New Trailer Released for Guillermo del Toro Noir Thriller

Jules
-
0
‘Nightmare Alley’: New Trailer Released for Guillermo del Toro Noir Thriller

The full trailer has been unveiled for Nightmare Alley, the new thriller from Guillermo del Toro! The psychological game of cat and mouse starring Cate Blanchett and Bradley Cooper is set to hit theaters December 17. In a new genre for del Toro, Nightmare Alley will pay tribute to film noir.

Nightmare Alley will star Toni Collette, Willem Dafoe, Richard Jenkins, Rooney Mara, Ron Perlman, David Strathairn, and Jim Beaver. Check out the full trailer below!

‘Walker’ Recap: Season 2, Episode 4 “It’s Not What You Think”

Briar
-
0
‘Walker’ Recap: Season 2, Episode 4 “It’s Not What You Think”

After last’s week Chili Cookoff, Cordell’s confession to Abeline and then finding the camera hidden, this week was sure to be tense! Read on below to find out what happened in this week’s Walker.

The Cameras and The Operation

Knowing that there’s at least one camera in the Walker house from the last episode, Cordell brings his entire family to the Side Step to let them know they’re being watched. Liam voices that he believes it’s the Davidsons, but Cordell shuts that idea down quickly saying it’s Serano and the two get into an argument over it.

Cordell and Micki arrive in Captain James’ office, where Denise is. She informs them that they have little on Serano for their case. Cordell tells them about the camera, and they come up with a plan to lure them out. We see Cordell and Denise at the Ranch, and they stage it to look like they’re having an affair as Micki and Captain James watch on from another location. During this whole act, Geri shows up, saying she needs to tell Cordell something but then sees Denise, which creates a huge misunderstanding as Geri isn’t aware of what’s going on.

Denise and Cordell walk back to the barn where Captain James and Micki are, and Cordell texts Geri that they need to talk. Micki asks Cordell if he wants Denise to leave if she’s a distraction. Cordell tells Micki that he’s sympathetic to what she’s going through and Micki gets angry saying it has nothing to do with Garrison and she just doesn’t want a distraction.

Liam arrives at the barn, a little upset that no one called him and left him out. Liam pulls Cordell aside, saying he researched the cameras and they’re transmitting over a local receiver and that whoever is watching them is close, deepening his suspicions of the Davidsons. Denise overhears some of the conversations, and Liam covers and says they need to check out her house, too.

Denise arrives home, and Cordell follows quickly after because he’s suspicious after what Liam had said. Micki calls on the radio saying there’s a perp heading towards Walker ranch. Micki throws on her vest and takes off ignoring Captain James’ orders. Captain James and Liam grab guns and follow Micki.

Cordell and Denise see smoke from a fire (the one Dan set.) Micki falls off the ATV into a fence and gets hurt. Liam arrives at the ranch, gun in tow, as the perp (Earl) is in the house with the hard drive. Gunshots go off as Liam fires off warning shots.

Rebecca Brenneman/The CW

Dan, Earl and The Cameras

In this episode we see a lot of Dan watching the cameras after he bought them last episode. One of the men from Serano’s crew that was watching the cameras, Earl, is still there with Dan. We find out that Dan and Denise have been in marriage counseling, too. Dan sees Denise and Cordell on the cameras, looking like they have an affair, which causes more turmoil.

Dan and Earl get into an argument because Earl says the footage will disbar Denise and she won’t have any evidence to prosecute Serano. Earl says he’d sneak in and steal a hard drive that Denise brought over.

Dan goes to leave the surveillance room to meet Denise at counseling. Earl tells him not to go but then realizes if Dan leaves and meets Denise he can go and get the hard drive. Denise calls Dan, and tells him the situation about the cameras. Dan does not let Earl in, thinking that he’s still going to counseling.

Earl leaves, heading to the Walker ranch to grab the hard drive, gun in hand. Dan sees him leave and grabs everything, showing he has a gun in his pocket. He grabs a can of kerosene and douses the surveillance room in it.

Dan ends up saving Liam and shoots Earl, and Earl dies. Dan lies to Denise and the Rangers, saying that he saw the smoke from the fire and headed over to make sure it didn’t spread and that’s how he ended up on the property. Cordell goes to talk to Dan and Denise, and thanks Dan, and hopes to put any bad blood behind them.

Cordell and Liam are fixing the Davidsons’ fence later, and Liam is still angry and suspicious of them. Cordell is adamant that they’re not the bad guys, but Liam doesn’t agree. Cordell says he never should have listened to Liam. Denise arrives and tells Cordell that she’s upset because she was suspected of putting cameras in the Walkers’ home, and that her family needs to heal.

Rebecca Brenneman/The CW

Micki, Trey, and Garrison

We see Micki still seeing visions of Garrison dying, putting her on edge. As we go through the episode, as mentioned in previous sections, Micki’s constantly on edge and you can tell she’s still dealing with the situation with Serrano’s crew and Garrison.

After the shooting and fire, Captain James talks to Micki, and the two agree that she rushed into everything, including coming back to work.

Micki arrives home to Trey, and Micki snaps at Trey when he tries to check on her. Trey says he knows she needs time and that it’s ok, but she says it’s not and he agrees and that they’re not ok, but they can be. Micki tearfully tells him she has a lot she has to deal with, and that she needs to take a step back.

Stella and the SATs

Stella is nervous about taking the SATs, and Liam drops her off from school, giving her a pep talk. Todd appears as Stella walks up to the school, and Stella tells him that she feels like she’s going to fail. Trey is proctoring the SATs, and Stella is having issues, where she’s worried about the cameras. Afterward, Stella tells Trey she’s upset and she can’t talk about it. Todd comes up, confident, but sees Stella upset and excuses himself to the bathroom. As Trey’s talking to Stella, the fire sprinklers go off, making everything wet.

Stella and Todd walk out of the school, and Stella thanks Todd for the fire sprinklers, and Todd says he “pleads the fifth.” Stella thanks him again and hugs him as Liam picks Stella up from the tests, as they got rescheduled because of the sprinklers.

The Fate of the Ranch

After Cordell alerts the family about the cameras at the ranch, Bonham and Abeline talk about potentially selling the ranch. They talk about spending the golden years being under surveillance, or with neighbors that hate them. The conversation was shelved once Augie came back. After the shooting, Augie, Bonham and Abeline are standing outside of the house when forensics comes out and says they found a box inside of the wall with the Walker emblem on it. Inside was an old gun with what looks like a map for the ranch.

Walker airs on Thursday nights on The CW. You can catch up on all of our Walker coverage, here.

‘The Flash’: Season 8, Episode 4 “Armageddon, Part 4” Synopsis

Kenedi
-
0
‘The Flash’: Season 8, Episode 4 “Armageddon, Part 4” Synopsis

A new description for “Armageddon, Part 4” — the fourth installment in the five-episode event kicking of The Flash season 8 — has arrived. Guest stars for this episode airing on December 7 include Javicia Leslie, Chyler Leigh, and Osric Chau. Check out the description of the penultimate episode of the event below!

BARRY FACES OFF WITH EOBARD THAWNE – Barry (Grant Gustin) is shocked when Eobard Thawne (guest star Tom Cavanagh) returns in the most unexpected way, and with a tie to a loved one. Damien Darhk (guest star Neal McDonough) offers advice to Barry but there is a catch. An epic battle begins with Reverse Flash pitted against The Flash, Team Flash, Batwoman (guest star Javicia Leslie), Sentinel (guest star Chyler Leigh) and Ryan Choi (guest star Osric Chau). 

No photos are available for this episode just yet, but they are sure to follow soon.

As always, check out all of our coverage concerning the Scarlet Speedster here. Stay tuned for more updates, and make sure to tune in to The Flash on The CW in its new time slot — Wednesday nights at 8 p.m. ET/7 p.m. CT.

1...758759760...2,202Page 759 of 2,202

Nerds and Beyond is your home for the latest news on all things movies, television, books, conventions, musi

Trending

Categories

Nerds and Beyond - Privacy Policy - Terms of Service