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Halfway through the third season of The Wheel of Time , the characters have split into teams to travel to varied destinations, but one new location isn’t even in the physical world. Episode 5 is titled “Tel’aran’rhiod,” a term which is used for the mysterious, potentially dangerous World of Dreams. This isn’t the first time that this aspect of the show’s high fantasy setting has been mentioned, but it’s now in full focus as Egwene (Madeleine Madden) begins to train with the Wise Ones of the Aiel. Disclaimer: This article contains spoilers for The Wheel of Time Season 3. Madeleine Madden (Egwene al’Vere) in The Wheel of Time Season 3. © Prime Video At first it seems like this training, in which Egwene goes to sleep and regains consciousness in an environment almost  identical to the real world, is a subplot with little importance to the main action. Egwene’s boyfriend Rand (Josha Stradowski) has accepted his destiny as the world-shaking Dragon Reborn, and she’s accompanying him to the Aiel Waste on a mission to recruit an army of desert warriors. In the last episode, Rand survived the trial of Rhuidean and proved himself the fated leader of all Aiel clans, and his mentor Moiraine (Rosamund Pike) endured a barrage of prophetic visions, including her own death.  The power of dreams is hardly anyone’s current priority, especially when we check in with the other teams. Elayne (Ceara Coveney) and Nynaeve ( Zoë Robins) have been sent to the distant city of Tanchico to find the traitorous Black Ajah. During the sea voyage, they learn that their ship is powered by Sea Folk channelers who wish to keep their existence secret from the Aes Sedai. Perrin (Marcus Rutherford) has returned to the Two Rivers, only to find it beset by Trolloc attacks and interfering Whitecloaks.  Rosamund Pike (Moiraine Damodred) in The Wheel of Time  Season 3. © Prime Video However, things have a way of coming together. By the end of the episode, Egwene uses her newfound dreaming power to allow Moiraine to speak to her star-crossed lover, Siuan ( Sophie Okonedo ), the Amyrlin Seat. Tensions at the White Tower where Siuan rules are at an all-time high, with at least Black Ajah sister still hidden among the Aes Sedai, and the arrival of the ambitious and overbearing Elaida ( Shohreh Aghdashloo ) causing further division among the Ajahs. Although Moiraine can offer little more than a warning of new dangers, her meeting with Siuan at least helps to heal their own damaged relationship. Egwene also takes the opportunity to peek into her absent friends’ dreams, sending us on a bittersweet montage as she observes each individual in the happy lives now out of their reach. Nynaeve is training her daughter to be a village Wisdom. Elayne sees herself as a Sea Folk Windfinder, with her Aiel lover Aviendha (Ayoola Smart) at her side. Perrin is working a forge in the company of Hopper, his late wolf companion, and Faile ( Isabella Bucceri ), a new acquaintance whom he hasn’t yet admitted he likes. Mat ( Dónal Finn ) dreams of making peace with his mother and little sisters, but in the real world Mat is traveling with Elayne and Nynaeve, and doesn’t know that his family in the Two Rivers has been captured by Whitecloaks.  Finally, Egwene’s dream journey brings her to Rand, but she’s stopped cold when she sees that he’s not alone. Rand already has a regular visitor to his dreams: the Forsaken Lanfear ( Natasha O'Keeffe ), whose undercover seduction of him in Season 2 has endured despite his distrust of her. It’s immediately clear to Egwene that their romantic interest is mutual. Josha Stradowski (Rand al’Thor), Madeleine Madden (Egwene al’Vere) in The Wheel of Time  Season 3. © Prime Video With so many distinct storylines competing for space, it’s difficult for a show like The Wheel of Time to give each episode an independent narrative. The use of Tel’aran’rhiod can only be an asset in that sense, but the stronger theme that emerges from this episode is the relationships between the characters. One subplot involves the Aes Sedai Alanna ( Priyanka Bose ) and her Warder Maksim ( Taylor Napier) , who are both grieving for her other Warder but have been unable to emotionally support each other until Alanna’s life is in danger.  Moiraine likewise finds comfort in her Warder Lan (Daniel Henney) in one offbeat, quiet scene, while Mat gets frustrated by his close quarters with Nynaeve and Elayne and finds a simpler kind of friendship with Min (Kae Alexander). Perrin’s return to the Two Rivers reunites him with people he’s known all his life, but also shows how much he’s changed when he considers the companions he’s brought home with him.  So far, this has been The Wheel of Time ’s strongest season. Each new installment balances faithfulness to the beloved book series by Robert Jordan and Brandon Sanderson with new material and twists, and the groundwork is being laid for exciting developments in seasons to come. Rating: ★★★★½ About The Wheel of Time Season 3 The Wheel of Time . © Prime Video Premiere Date:   March 13, 2025 Episode Count:  8 Executive Producer/Showrunner: Rafe Judkins, Larry Mondragon, Rick Selvage, Ted Field, Mike Weber, Darren Lemke, Marigo Kehoe, Justine Juel Gillmer, Sanaa Hamri, Amanda Kate Shuman Director: Ciaran Donnelly, Thomas Napper, Production:   Amazon Studios and Sony Pictures Television Distribution:  Prime Video Cast:   Rosamund Pike, Daniel Henney, Josha Stradowski, Zoë Robins, Madeleine Madden, Marcus Rutherford, Dónal Finn, Ceara Coveney, Kate Fleetwood, Natasha O’Keeffe, Ayoola Smart, Kae Alexander, Sophie Okonedo Synopsis: After defeating Ishamael at the end of Season Two, Rand reunites with his friends at Falme and is declared the Dragon Reborn. But in Season Three, the threats against the Light are multiplying: the White Tower stands divided, the Black Ajah run free, old enemies return to the Two Rivers, and the remaining Forsaken are in hot pursuit of the Dragon… including Lanfear, whose relationship with Rand will mark a crucial choice between Light and Dark for them both. As the ties to his past begin to unravel, and his corrupted power grows stronger, Rand becomes increasingly unrecognizable to his closest allies, Moiraine and Egwene. These powerful women, who started the series as teacher and student, must now work together to prevent the Dragon from turning to the Dark…no matter the cost.

The fifth and sixth episodes of Daredevil: Born Again aired back to back on March 25. This double-feature format happened to work very well with the two episodes in question, “With Interest” and “Excessive Force.” Disclaimer: This article contains minor spoilers for Daredevil: Born Again Season 1. Rather than advancing the plotline that’s been building up from the beginning of the season, “With Interest” heads in a new direction and provides its own self-contained adventure. Matt Murdock (Charlie Cox), who has been concentrating on his lawyer career and steering clear of his alter-ego Daredevil, goes to the bank to ask for a loan and becomes caught up in a conflict that has nothing to do with him or any of his usual enemies.  As all of the action takes place inside the bank or on the streets just outside, it’s more or less a bottle episode, something that isn’t often seen in the television format preferred by today’s streaming services. Matt is the only regular character who gets any screen time, and he’s the one who saves the day with his wits, enhanced senses, and fighting skills.  Daredevil: Born Again . © Marvel Television Ms. Marvel's Dad on Loan Marvel Cinematic Universe fans will recognize one other protagonist: Yusuf Khan (Mohan Kapur), the father of teen superhero Kamala Khan/Ms. Marvel. Yusuf is the assistant bank manager who first discusses the loan with Matt, and he’s quick to show his pride in his daughter, even keeping a Ms. Marvel Funko Pop! figure on his desk. When a gang of bank robbers busts in (wearing Infinity Stone-colored ski masks), Yusuf helps Matt defeat them and later offers him an invitation to dinner with the family.  Although there are some bleak moments in the episode, overall it has a much more lighthearted vibe than we’ve seen in the show so far. Not only is “With Interest” a refreshing change of pace, but it nods to the style of classic superhero comics, which would often break up serial arcs with one-shot stories.  Muse Is Out For Blood Muse in Daredevil: Born Again . © Marvel Television With that feel-good victory completed, “Excessive Force” brings back the despair and violence of the main plot. The masked killer known as Muse, who drains the blood of his victims and uses it to paint graffiti murals like a deranged Banksy, has finally drawn the attention of Mayor Wilson Fisk (Vincent D’Onofrio).  Using the same kind of strategic manipulations that he did as a crime boss, Fisk is turning public sentiment against vigilantes, equating criminals like Muse with local heroes like Daredevil and gathering a team of plainly corrupt officers to work as his special strike force. When it comes to his own criminal history, though, Fisk is forced to negotiate with a former associate holding his past over him, rather than beating him senseless as he once would have. Daredevil and Kingpin have always had interlocking arcs, and here their struggles run parallel. Matt’s determination to solve problems through the law is wavering, especially after he’s approached by Angela Del Toro (Camila Rodriguez), the niece of his recently murdered client Hector Ayala/White Tiger. Angela’s insistence that Matt is the only one who can help her take down her uncle’s killers feels like a stretch, as she only knows him as a blind lawyer, but it does the trick. Angela soon gets in over her head and Matt is back in the Daredevil suit to rescue her.  Fisk’s inevitable return to form, of course, is much more brutal than Matt’s. He’s fueled by jealousy over his wife Vanessa (Ayelet Zurer), even as their broken marriage begins to heal. Matt doesn’t have anyone locked in a dungeon, but he is keeping his girlfriend Heather (Margarita Levieva) in the dark about his double life, even when she says she wants to write a book about vigilantes.  Will Swords Be Drawn? Jack Duquesne (Tony Dalton) in Daredevil: Born Again . © Marvel Television “Excessive Force” also has a returning face from a prior MCU show. This time it’s Jack Duquesne (Tony Dalton), last seen in Hawkeye . The crossover came as a surprise, but as Jack was introduced as a charming New York socialite, he fits right in with Vanessa’s circle and his presence in the show makes perfect sense.  It’s hinted that Jack’s alter-ego Swordsman will become relevant in Daredevil: Born Again , but even if he was just a cameo, this kind of guest appearance is delightful for fans and exactly what the show needs to cement its place in the MCU. Some inconsistencies between the original Daredevil series and the wider shared universe will never be resolved, but it’s great to see proof that all of these characters do exist in each other’s worlds and really can pop up where you least expect them. All that aside, there are some Daredevil mainstays who still have stories waiting to unfold, and their roles in Born Again have been very limited so far. Karen Page (Deborah Ann Woll) and Frank Castle (Jon Bernthal) both left loose ends after their brief appearances, and the mysteries behind the death of Foggy Nelson (Elden Henson) are far from resolved. The slow pace of Daredevil: Born Again has its pros and cons. Fans will need to be patient to see how it all comes together, but hopefully, we’ll continue to enjoy the ride. Rating: ★★★★☆ About Daredevil: Born Again Daredevil: Born Again . © Marvel Television Premiere Date:  March 4, 2025. Episode Count:  9 Executive Producer/Showrunner: Dario Scardapane Writers: Dario Scardapane, Brad Winderbaum Directors: Justin Benson & Aaron Moorhead, Michael Cuesta, Jeffrey Nachmanoff, David Boyd Production:  Marvel Television, Disney Distribution:  Disney Cast:   Charlie Cox, Vincent D’Onofrio, Margarita Levieva, Deborah Ann Woll, Elden Henson, Zabryna Guevara, Nikki James, Genneya Walton, Arty Froushan, Clark Johnson, Michael Gandolfini, with Ayelet Zurer and Jon Bernthal Synopsis: In Marvel Television’s “Daredevil: Born Again,” Matt Murdock (Charlie Cox), a blind lawyer with heightened abilities is fighting for justice through his bustling law firm, while former mob boss Wilson Fisk (Vincent D’Onofrio) pursues his own political endeavors in New York. When their past identities begin to emerge, both men find themselves on an inevitable collision course.

X-Manhunt Omega  serves as a crucial conclusion to the second major X-Men event in the From the Ashes  era, tying up loose ends while leaving readers with more questions about the future of mutantkind. In this issue, we witness the X-Men navigating the aftermath of Xavier’s escape from Graymalkin Prison. After the loss of their island nation and one of their greatest leaders on the run, the X-Men’s future is in disarray, divided between those trying to rebuild and those grappling with the loss. Cyclops, a key figure in this tumultuous era, is presented as caught between being a steadfast leader and a revolutionary. His opening line—"They killed it..."—strikes a deep chord, encapsulating the disillusionment many mutants feel after Krakoa’s fall. While the narrative seeks to inject hope by showing the resilience of mutants in various corners of the X-universe, it’s a tough pill to swallow, especially given the mixed reception many recent X-books have received.  Cyclops and Rogue’s ideological clash continues through the first pages of X-Manhunt Omega , reaffirming their standing disagreement on how to handle mutantkind’s future, particularly when it comes to Xavier. Cyclops’ adamant stance on keeping the Professor imprisoned, despite his own traumatic experiences with captivity (particularly during the Fall of X), feels contradictory. Even more jarring is the fact that other mutants remain imprisoned within the X-Men’s former home, yet no significant action has been taken to free them. It’s a puzzling oversight, especially given Cyclops’ declarations about preventing further suffering for mutants. As tensions between Cyclops and Rogue remain unresolved, we shift to Storm, who has remained largely separate from the central conflicts of the X-teams. She reflects on the symbolism of mutants, both past and present, during a philosophical exchange with Sage. For those following X-Force , this moment picks up from the events where Sage helped Xavier escape with a Krakoan egg containing his deceased wife, Lilandra. While Storm’s role in these events is not as directly involved as one might expect, her philosophical musings provide a needed contrast to the heated arguments among the other X-leaders. If you haven’t already, it’s worth picking up Storm  to dive deeper into her personal struggles during this time. X-Manhunt Omega . © Marvel The heart of X-Manhunt Omega  comes in the form of high-octane action, with Ayodele and Simone delivering one of the most visually stunning sequences, with help from artists we've seen in recent X-Men comics. Murewa’s influence from anime and manga is unmistakable, with extravagant attacks, dramatic flair, and a massive kaiju-style battle featuring a giant demon and a superpowered mechsuit. These action-packed pages highlight the best of his directional talents and add a new level of excitement to the story outside of verbal bouts. However, the most compelling part of the issue is the battle of ideals between Cyclops and Xavier. Finally, the two have the long-overdue conversation that allows Cyclops to confront his deep resentment toward his mentor and father figure. This confrontation feels long overdue, as Cyclops’ internal conflict has been hinted at but never fully explored. The Fall of Krakoa, arguably the hardest blow to Scott, is the catalyst for his meltdown. His raw emotions echo back to earlier issues, such as X-Men  #2 and #7, where we saw the first cracks in his psyche, as he struggled with depression and panic attacks. Scott is a character who has sacrificed everything for the cause, and this moment truly drives home the emotional toll he’s endured. To him, Xavier is the architect of a broken dream, and his pain feels both relatable and tragic. The final message of the issue is one of hope, unity, and the pursuit of a new dream for mutantkind. It’s a touching sentiment, but it doesn’t pack the emotional punch it perhaps should, given Xavier’s limited involvement throughout this era. Though his final words aim to inspire, it’s difficult to feel the weight of his vision when he’s been largely absent from the era outside the two major events. As X-Manhunt Omega  sets the stage for what comes next, I’m more interested in seeing how the X-Men evolve into something more unique and fitting of the previous era. The future of the Adjectiveless X-Men  and Uncanny X-Men  teams is uncertain. Will they heed Xavier’s final words and find common ground, or will they continue to clash as they try to define a new path forward without their former leader? The possibilities are intriguing, but it’s clear that the X-Men’s journey is far from over. About X-Manhunt Omega X-Manhunt Omega . © Marvel Release Date: March 26, 2025 Written by: Gail Simone, Murewa Ayodele Art by: Enid Balám, Gleb Melnikov, Federica Mancin Cover by: Gleb Melnikov, Morry Hollowell Page Count: 48 Pages Synopsis: X-MANHUNT FINALE! The X-MANHUNT concludes as Professor X reaches his destination, and his assorted pursuers, friend and foe alike, catch up with him! Alliances will be battle-tested, the blades of betrayals will cut deep with poisoned tips and, when the dust finally settles, Charles Xavier will have to make a tectonic-shifting choice with the fate of all mutantkind in the balance. The world is about to change. This time around, everyone is wide awake.

There’s not a whole lot to dissect yet in Ultimate Wolverine , but one thing is clear: it's an engaging and fun ride. The series takes some of the best elements from Wolverine's lore in the main Marvel Universe and spins them into the fresh and unpredictable landscape of the Ultimate Universe, where anything can happen. While the familiar amnesia trope is at play, this time Wolverine - known as the Winter Soldier - is thrown directly into the chaos of the Eurasian Republic conflict, an intense backdrop that involves familiar X-Men characters in a darker, more perilous setting. Ultimate Wolverine  #3 introduces us to a few recognizable faces—Remy LeBeau, Kate Pryde, and Natasha Romanova—who are all fighting to survive in the harsh Russian wilderness. This gritty, high-stakes environment stands in stark contrast to the more lighthearted and occasionally humorous tone of Ultimate X-Men  by Peach Momoko. Instead, this story takes readers down a more violent and grim vibe that longtime Wolverine fans will appreciate. Ultimate Wolverine #3 . © Marvel Although we know Wolverine’s amnesia (or conditioning) never lasts in the long run, this issue is where we begin to see active characters from his past entering the fray, setting the stage for the eventual return of his memories, and his true self. If this Logan is anything like his main universe counterpart, it’s only a matter of time before he regains some, if not all, of his past, which will undoubtedly spell trouble for those like Colossus, Magik, and Omega Red who have been using him for their own purposes. Ultimately, Ultimate Wolverine  #3 delivers another strong chapter in a series that’s doing a lot to expand the mutant mythos within the Ultimate Universe. By introducing beloved characters in dynamic new ways, it has the potential to become one of the standout books in the line. If it keeps up the momentum, I can easily see Ultimate Wolverine  becoming one of my favorite ongoing series in this alternate universe. About Ultimate Wolverine #3 Ultimate Wolverine #3 . © Marvel Release Date: March 26, 2025 Written by: Chris Condon Art by: Alessandro Cappuccio Cover by: Alessandro Cappuccio, Frank Martin Page Count: 32 Pages Synopsis: WOLVERINE VS. GAMBIT & KITTY PRYDE! The Winter Soldier leads a strike against two members of the Opposition: Kitty Pryde and Gambit! But do the duo recognize the man behind the mask?

Uncanny X-Men #12 marks the first issue following the X-Manhunt  crossover event, and it’s a refreshing change of pace. The story picks up shortly after the previous arc and shines the spotlight on everyone’s favorite Cajun, Gambit. While the Outliers, the ragtag group of young mutants, make an appearance, the issue is predominantly told from Gambit’s perspective, allowing readers to experience his signature accent and colloquialisms in full force. It’s a welcome shift from the usual narration we've seen, especially given Rogue’s more bristled approach to the world since the Fall of X . Rogue’s leadership struggles, her ideological clashes with Cyclops, and the overall pressure she’s been under have dominated much of the narrative in recent issues. Gambit’s perspective brings a breath of fresh air, deviating a bit from the ongoing mutant crisis. We step away from the larger conflicts to explore Gambit’s past, a fitting focus given the story is set in Louisiana, where the cultural and historical context of his upbringing is key to understanding his character. Uncanny X-Men. © Marvel The issue offers a fun and insightful dive into Gambit’s childhood, shedding light on the heavy price he paid as a young member of the Thieves Guild. We’re introduced to a new character, Vic, who gives off strong Killer Croc  vibes. Vic is a mutant who has haunted Gambit for decades, holding a debt over his head—a situation that, given Gambit’s past, isn’t surprising. Through this subplot, we get more background on Gambit’s connection to the St. Juniors and Have House, the Uncanny X-Men’s current home and base of operations. While this issue provides a nice break from the intensity of the two recent crossover events ( Raid on Graymalkin  and X-Manhunt ), it does veer away from some of the mysteries that have been building in the book’s early issues. We still don’t know which mutant cheated death and will soon pay the price, or which member of the Outliers is the Endling , the one destined to bring ruin to mutantkind. It’s clear readers will need to stick with the series as the next issue promises to plunge the Outliers into a terrifying adventure tied to the very history of mutants. In all, Uncanny X-Men  #12 delivers a solid, character-driven story that explores Gambit’s past and sets the stage for the next big chapter in the Outliers' story. The balance of action, character development, and mystery makes it a compelling read, and fans of Gambit will particularly enjoy the focus on his backstory. About Uncanny X-Men Uncanny X-Men . © Marvel Release Date: March 26, 2025 Written by: Gail Simone Art by: Gavin Guidry, Matt Wilson Cover by: David Marquez, Matt Wilson Page Count: 32 Pages Synopsis: The smoothest X-Man, Remy LeBeau, A.K.A. GAMBIT, is forced to face his past, as an UNSTOPPABLE force comes to collect a DEBT, whether from the Cajun’s pocket or his HIDE. Details of Remy’s life, never before revealed in this thrilling one-shot crime tale, as everyone’s favorite card-thrower faces THE VIG.

One of the most speculated MCU projects is finally starting to feel more real as it has gained a writer. Nexus Point News can exclusively report that Rachna Fruchbom is set to write Champions , a TV series in early development at Marvel Studios. Fruchbom will presumably showrun and executive produce the series as well. This is following the report by X user, @ApocHorseman, that a series centered on Marvel’s younger heroes is being developed under the title  Champions . Champions and Young Avengers . © Marvel A project centered on the Young Avengers or Champions has been highly speculated since the introduction of characters like Cassie Lang, Kamala Khan, Kate Bishop, Kid Loki, Eli Bradley, Riri Williams, America Chavez, and Billy Maximoff. The Young Avengers first debuted in their self-titled series in 2005, created by Allan Heinberg and Jim Cheung. The team has kept a consistent line-up of Iron Lad, Wiccan, Hulkling, Hawkeye, Stature, Speed, and Patriot until its relaunch in 2012, adding members like Kid Loki, America Chavez, and Marvel Boy. The Champions debuted in their self-titled series in 2016 as a separate team with its own roster of characters like Ms. Marvel, Brawn, Nova, Ironheart, a time-displaced Cyclops, and more. The team was created by Mark Waid and Humberto Ramos.  Given the current characters in the MCU, the series will likely be pulling members from both teams especially since with Kate and Kamala’s interaction at the end of The Marvels. The name Champions, was likely chosen to differentiate it from the Avengers. Fruchbom is currently writing and executive producing season 3 of Apple TV+’s Shrinking . She has also served as a co-executive producer and writer on And Just Like That…  and Fresh Off The Boat . She began her career as a writer on NBC’s Parks and Recreation .  Fruchbom is repped by UTA. Champions is currently in early development by Marvel Studios for Disney+.

Yellowjackets Episode 7 opens with the introduction of Kodi, a mysterious-macho forest guide played by Joel Mchale, along with Hannah and Edwin, two frog scientists played by Ashley Sutton and Nicholas Franklin. We previously met Hannah and Edwin towards the end of Episode 6, when they stumbled upon the Yellowjackets in the woods, following the death and ritual for Coach Ben.  This foundation of introducing new characters and having them stumble upon the girls lays the groundwork for many questions that Yellowjackets fans have had since the inception of this show while setting up another compelling narrative for the past timeline. I discussed this briefly before in my initial review for Yellowjackets Season 3 , but I have enjoyed how the writers are deciding to showcase new faces to further drive the plot of the main girls we have known from the beginning. Whether this is in the present or past timeline, it opens up new sides to these individuals and helps viewers, like myself, dive into the psyche of these characters in a new way: it highlights the explored and unexplored the trauma from the wilderness within these women. L-R: Nelson Franklin as Edwin, Ashley Sutton as Hanna and Joel McHale as Kodiak in Yellowjackets, episode 7, season 3, streaming on Paramount+ with SHOWTIME, 2025. Photo Credit: Kailey Schwerman/Paramount+ with SHOWTIME. As mentioned before, one of my favorite parts of this episode is that it poses a question many long-time viewers, myself included, have had about the past timeline: How would the girls react to the potential of being rescued? Will they accept this possibility, or have they descended so far into madness that they have accepted the wilderness as their home? This is very quickly answered by Lottie when she swiftly takes an axe to Edwin’s skull. L-R: Jasmin Savoy Brown as Teen Taissa and Liv Hewson as Teen Van in Yellowjackets, episode 7, season 3, streaming on Paramount+ with SHOWTIME, 2025. Photo Credit: Kailey Schwerman/Paramount+ with SHOWTIME. We get to see a crack in the girls’ descent into madness when Tai and Van discover the camping equipment that belongs to the scientists and their guide in a stand-out scene to me. The hope that comes with the prospect of being rescued along with Van’s first instinct being to call her mom reminds viewers, at such a horrific time like this, that they truly are just kids. While we have seen them do truly terrible things throughout the duration of this show, these small, emotional details highlight how the Yellowjackets were just trying to survive by whatever means necessary and make it back home.  Melanie Lynskey as Shauna in Yellowjackets, episode 7, season 3, streaming on Paramount+ with SHOWTIME, 2025. Photo Credit: Kailey Schwerman/Paramount+ with SHOWTIME. As the past timeline goes on a hunt for escape, the present timeline continues to investigate Lottie’s untimely death along with revealing more about the infamous tape: it was recorded by Hannah when she stumbled upon the girls in their past timeline. This show continuously ties together the past and present with details like this while expanding on their own stories. Whether it’s done subtly or unsubtly, it's written moments like this that I have begun to recognize how much thought was put into this creation and I appreciate that everything is connected. While each timeline may be very busy in its own way, everything comes full circle to the Yellowjackets and their time in the wilderness and this season continues to show these women how your past will haunt you. Liv Hewson as Teen Van in Yellowjackets, episode 7, season 3, streaming on Paramount+ with SHOWTIME, 2025. Photo Credit: Kailey Schwerman/Paramount+ with SHOWTIME. With a strong closure of the present timeline in this episode before jumping back to the past, Van’s cancer takes a turn for the worse while highlighting her ability to get out of dying: “We never actually cheated death. It was always an even trade.” The dramatic cut from Van’s dream sequence to Other Tai standing over her literally and metaphorically poses the question of which Tai has been in control, which will be an interesting for viewers to see play out.  Episode 7 of Yellowjackets Season 3 is a strong addition to this season and the show overall. By answering questions that fans have had for years while extending the interesting and complex narratives taking place in both timelines, this episode opens the doors for an exciting future with new questions to be answered and explored, especially within the last three ventures into this season.  Rating: ★★★★☆ Yellowjackets Season 3 is now streaming on Paramount Plus with new episodes airing every Friday. About Yellowjackets Premiere Date: February 15, 2025 Episode Count:  10 Executive Producer/Showrunner: Ashley Lyle Created by: Ashley Lyle and Bart Nickerson Directed by: Jennifer Morrison Production:   Lionsgate Television, Beer Christmas Ltd. Showtime Networks Distribution:   Showtime and Paramount Plus Cast:   Melanie Lynskey, Sophie Nélisse, Tawny Cypress, Jasmin Savoy Brown, Sophie Thatcher, Samantha Hanratty, Courtney Eaton, Liv Hewson, Christina Ricci Synopsis: YELLOWJACKETS is the saga of a team of wildly talented high school girls soccer players who become the (un)lucky survivors of a plane crash deep in the remote northern wilderness. The series chronicles their descent from a complicated but thriving team to savage clans, while also tracking the lives they’ve attempted to piece back together nearly 25 years later, proving that the past is never really past and what began out in the wilderness is far from over.

UPDATE: Severance has been renewed for Season 3 on March 21st. Severance appears to be undergoing significant creative changes heading into Season 3. Showrunners Chris Black and Mark J. Friedman, along with producer Amanda Overton and supervising producer Anna Ouyang Moench, will not be returning for the new season. Series creator Dan Erickson and executive producer Ben Stiller are set to move forward with two new showrunners and an entirely new writers' room. Adam Scott and Britt Lower in Severance . © Apple TV+ Season 3 writers' room consists of: Dan Erickson – Executive Producer, Showrunner Ben Stiller – Executive Producer Mary Laws ( Succession ) – Executive Producer, Showrunner Eli E. Jorne ( The Walking Dead ) – Executive Producer, Showrunner Ezra Claytan Daniels ( Doom Patrol ) – Co-Executive Producer Sean Clements ( Kevin Can F*** Himself ) – Co-Executive Producer Lauren Bello ( The Sandman ) – Producer Aiyana Kim White – Executive Story Editor While there is still no official word on Season 3 being greenlit, Ben Stiller revealed in an interview with The Hollywood Reporter  last month that they were assembling the writers' room and hoping to shorten the wait between the seasons. The gap between Season 1 and Season 2 stretched to three years, which felt especially torturous after that nerve-wracking Season 1 finale. However, considering Stiller’s comments and the spike in audience numbers Severance gained during Season 2, I’m hopeful the wait this time will be much shorter — hopefully less than three years. Severance Season 2 is now streaming on Apple TV+. This story is still developing. Source: Writers Guild of America West

The Severance Season 2 finale is finally here, and honestly, it’s one of the best episodes of television I’ve seen in a long time. Not only does it deliver some long-awaited answers — yes, we finally learn what the Cold Harbor is, what those baby goats were all about, and what Mark was really doing with the numbers — but it also hits harder emotionally than I expected. RELATED STORY: ‘Severance’ Season 3 Adds Two New Showrunners and Gathers Its Writers’ Room Adam Scott in Severance . © Apple TV+ The episode starts strong with Innie Mark finding out what’s really going on from Devon and Cobel, and right after that, we get one of the most intriguing and emotionally charged scenes of the entire series. For the first time, Innie Mark and Outie Mark communicate directly through a camera, and it’s absolutely fascinating. Adam Scott is phenomenal here. He effortlessly shows us two versions of the same man that are similar in so many ways, yet completely shaped by different experiences and memories. You can feel the conflict, the desperation, and this growing but painful understanding between them. They argue, they try to reason with each other, but ultimately, they can’t fully connect. What complicates it all is love because, by this point, it’s not just about what they want, it’s about what they need. One of them loves Gemma, the other loves Helly. And for either of them to be happy, the other has to lose the person they care about most. It’s brutal because neither of them is wrong. They’re both right in their own way, and yet, they’re completely trapped in a situation where there is no real winning. You can feel that weight in every word, every look exchanged between them. And what makes it even worse is knowing that, in the end, Innie Mark is doomed either way. He is there for one purpose, to finish all 25 files. Once that’s done, his existence won’t matter because Lumon won’t need him anymore. He’s just a tool to them, disposable the moment his task is complete. Helly, meanwhile, has a tense, uncomfortable, and honestly disturbing conversation with Jame Eagan. He admits he doesn't love Helena. Not really. He’s disappointed in her because he can’t see Kier in her. He even confesses that he slept with countless women, trying to create an heir who carried Kier’s fire. That confession is interesting, not just because of what it says about him, but because of what it says about Lumon. At its core, it really is a cult worshiping Kier, obsessing over legacy, and twisting family into something transactional. It raises so many disturbing questions about the women he used. Who were they? Were they employees, trapped in Lumon’s web? Were they brainwashed, like Helena? How many lives did he ruin chasing some imagined version of Kier in his bloodline? Jame then tells Helly that he finally found what he was looking for, and it’s her . Not Helena, not any of his other children, but Helly . Because Helly is fierce, rebellious, decisive, and willing to burn everything down to get what she wants. In his eyes, that makes her the true Eagan. No matter how hard she fights it, she’s still his . Still part of this twisted family and their cult-like legacy. Back at Lumon, the tension builds beautifully. There is a sweet, almost heartbreaking little moment between Helly and Innie Mark. You know it cannot end well, but watching them joke, two people who only exist because of the worst corporate invention imaginable, is somehow so human it hurts. Then Cold Harbor looms over everything like a death sentence. No matter what they do, it feels like the end is inevitable. Adam Scott and Britt Lower in Severance . © Apple TV+ Mark finally makes his choice. He wants to save Gemma. Helly gives him that final push, and the plan is set. But then comes the most absurd, nerve-wracking, Severance-style celebration possible: Mr. Milchick’s awkward little stand-up routine and a literal band playing after Mark finishes the file. It is so awkward and surreal that it is perfect. That is when the panic kicks in because Mark has to get out, but Milchick is hovering like a vulture. I was practically holding my breath. Thankfully, Helly figures out a way to distract Milchick, giving Mark the opening he needs. Drummond, meanwhile, is preparing for one of the most disturbing moments of the episode: a baby goat sacrifice meant to guide Gemma’s soul to the Kier's door , according to Lumon’s twisted cult beliefs. Lorne (Gwendoline Christie) looks absolutely devastated, but she still forces herself to go through the motions. You can see how broken she is, how far gone they all are, trapped in this system where they are ordered to perform acts that horrify them. Just as Lorne is about to kill the goat, Mark makes his move. He tries to break into the Black Hall using the elevator, but the sacrifice room is just across from it, and the sound of him thudding into the door interrupts the ritual. That is when everything breaks into chaos. Drummond lunges at Mark, and a brutal fight breaks out. Mark is completely outmatched, and for a moment, it really looks like Drummond might kill him right there. But then Lorne, driven by pure desperation and rage, finally snaps. She steps in and saves Mark, almost killing Drummond herself. It goes to show how they are not employees. They are prisoners, forced to perform the same cruel or meaningless tasks over and over again, like machines slowly breaking down. Gwendoline Christie in Severance . © Apple TV+ Mark forces Drummond into the elevator at gunpoint, but right as they are between floors, the worst happens: the switch. That elevator scene was everything. Mark holds the gun to Drummond’s neck, pure rage and desperation in his eyes. Then the switch happens. Innie Mark disappears, and Outie Mark is back. The terror, the confusion, and the horror all play out on Adam Scott’s face, and it is absolutely masterful. Covered in blood and still in shock, Mark stumbles through the halls until he finds Gemma. Her innie is being forced to unmake a crib, cold and emotionless, while Lumon watches for any reaction. There is nothing. No sadness, no hesitation. At first, Gemma is startled, staring at this blood-covered man who just barged into her world. Then something shifts. Despite everything, she chooses to believe him. She chooses him. That choice says everything. Her miscarriage and her infertility did not break her. But her love for Mark got through the severance barrier. Dichen Lachman and Adam Scott in Severance . © Apple TV+ What frustrated me about this episode was Innie Mark staying behind after getting Gemma out of the floor. It’s the Orpheus and Eurydice story all over again: He looked back, saw Helly, and it stopped him from leaving. And while I understand why he made that choice, it still feels like a decision driven more by the need to keep Mark on the severed floor for season three. Adam Scott in Severance . © Apple TV+ Then there is Helly and Dylan. Not only did they stop Milchick, but they somehow recruited the band in the process. It feels like the seeds of a revolution are finally being planted. Maybe season three is the reckoning we have been waiting for, or maybe Severance will surprise us again. It always does. After a rather chaotic season with some pacing problems, Severance Season 2 sticks the landing. The finale delivers everything: a brutal fight, emotional reunions, philosophical gut punches, and somehow still leaves us wanting more. It finally gives us some of the answers we have been waiting for, but at the same time, it leaves just as many questions hanging in the air. There is a sense of relief in getting closure on certain mysteries, but the world of Severance still feels full of secrets we are nowhere near uncovering. Rating: ★★★★½ Severance Season 2 is now streaming on Apple TV+. About Severance Season 2 Severance . © Apple TV+ Premiere Date:  March 20, 2025 Episode Count:  10 Executive Producers/Showrunners: Ben Stiller, Dan Erickson, John Lesher, Jackie Cohn,Patricia Arquette, Mark Friedman Beau Willimon, Jordan Tappis, Sam Donovan, Adam Scott, Caroline Baron, Richard Schwartz, Nicolas Weinstock Writers: Dan Erickson, Mohamad El Masri, Wei-Ning Yu, Anna Ouyang Moench, Megan Ritchie, Erin Wagoner, Mark Friedman, Adam Countee, K. C. Perry Directors: Ben Stiller, Sam Donovan, Uta Briesewitz, Jessica Lee Gagné Production:   Fifth Season, Red Hour, Westward, Animals & People Distribution:   Apple TV+ Cast:   Adam Scott, Patricia Arquette, Britt Lower, Tramell Tillman, Zach Cherry, Jen Tullock, Michael Chernus, Dichen Lachman, Sarah Bock, John Turturro, Christopher Walken Synopsis: In Severance , Mark Scout (Adam Scott) leads a team at Lumon Industries, whose employees have undergone a severance procedure that surgically divides their memories between their work and personal lives. This daring experiment in “work-life balance” is called into question as Mark finds himself at the center of an unraveling mystery that will force him to confront the true nature of his work … and of himself. In season two, Mark and his friends learn the dire consequences of trifling with the severance barrier, leading them further down a path of woe.

Happy Face showcases breathtaking performances from powerful actors in a story that holds itself back from digging deep into its raw potential. Created by Jennifer Cacicio and co-produced by Robert and Michelle King, Paramount Plus's new true crime series is based on Melissa Moore's 2018 podcast of the same name and the 2009 autobiography Shattered Silence , which she co-wrote with M. Bridget Cook. The series follows Melissa Reed (Annaleigh Ashford) doing everything she possibly can to keep her infamous sadistic father, Keith Jesperson (Dennis Quaid) out of her life. When she was a teenager he was arrested for assaulting and murdering eight women. Sadly her secret is exposed when Jesperson claims he will reveal what happened to his ninth victim under one condition; his daughter will be the only one he confesses to. Happy Face is formulaic and does very little to forge its identity in the popular true crime genre, giving an impression of studio execs checking notes to ensure they have another hit on their hands instead of taking the time, allowing it to be a fully authentic story that needs to be told. What it lacks in the story it makes up for in the performances of the lead roles by Ashford and Quaid. Familiar Faces in Front of Happy Face L-R Dennis Quaid as Keith Jesperson and Annaleigh Ashford as Melissa Reed in Happy Face, episode 1, season 1, streaming on Paramount +. © Victoria Will/Paramount + Annaleigh Ashford and Dennis Quaid carry the show with their performances and chemistry. The scenes together are intentionally uncomfortable and depressing as they provide much-needed insight into their tragic relationship dynamic. It is impossible not to feel sorry for Melissa. Her childhood died with her trust when she was a teen due to her father's sick deeds. The revelation of him being a monster forced her to grow up fast and always keep her guard up, especially from her most loved ones. She hides her despair from her friends, family, and colleagues until her secret is exposed. Now she is lost, vulnerable and everyone knows it. As for Keith, it is impossible not to feel provoked by him. He is as despicable as you can imagine. He preys on innocent helpless women and shows no signs of remorse. He claims he committed his horrible crimes for his daughter so that she can have the life she deserves. Whenever he sees her, he attempts to relive "the good old days" and gaslight her into thinking she should be grateful. Ashford's emotional depth and Quaid's narcissistic demeanor do all of the heavy lifting in the series. Too Recognizable For Its Own Good L-R Dennis Quaid as Keith Jasperson and Annaleigh Ashford as Melissa Reed in Happy Face, episode 1, season 1, streaming on Paramount +. © Katie Yu/Paramount + Most of the time Happy Face feels like it is going through the motions with its storytelling which often misses the landing. Beyond the performances by Annaleigh Ashford and Dennis Quaid, it is difficult to get fully invested in this true crime chronicle. Given how this is inspired by real events it is disappointing to see this series get carried recycling TV tropes at the expense of authenticity. Rating: ★★★☆☆ About Happy Face Premiere Date:  March 20, 2025 Episode Count:  8 Executive Producer/Showrunner: Jennifer Cacicio Writers: Adam Toltzis, Jennifer Cacicio, Andrew Gettens, Lauren MacKenzie, Sarah Beckett, Sal Calleros, Inda Craig-Galván, Tiffany Ezuma, Bam Johnson, Brandi Nicole, Erica Saleh, Michelle King, Robert King, Melissa G. Moore Directors: Darren Grant, Jennifer Getzinger, Ramaa Mosley, Steven Piet, Michael Showalter Producers:   Jennifer Cacicio, Robert and Michelle King, Liz Glotzer, Melissa G. Moore, Conal Byrne, Will Pearson, Michael Showalter, Jordana Mollick Production: CBS Studios, iHeartPodcasts, King Size Productions, Semi-Formal Productions Distribution: Paramount Plus  Cast:   Annaleigh Ashford, Dennis Quaid, James Wolk, Tamera Tomakili, Khiyla Aynne, Benjamin Mackey Synopsis: HAPPY FACE is inspired by the true-life story of Melissa G. Moore; the critically acclaimed Happy Face podcast from iHeartPodcasts and Moore; and the autobiography Shattered Silence, written by Moore with M. Bridget Cook. At 15, Moore discovered that her beloved father was the prolific serial killer known as “Happy Face.” As an adult, she changed her name and guarded her secret while her father served life in prison. HAPPY FACE for Paramount+ jumps off from Moore’s true-life story. Happy Face (Dennis Quaid) is an incarcerated serial killer who also is Melissa Reed’s (Annaleigh Ashford) once-beloved father. After decades of no contact, Keith finds a way to force himself back into his daughter’s life. In a race against the clock, Melissa must find out if an innocent man is going to be put to death for a crime her father committed. Throughout, she discovers the impact her father had on his victims’ families and must face a reckoning of her own identity.

Netflix’s brand-new whodunnit series The Residence , created by Paul William Davies and inspired by Kate Andersen Brower’s book The Residence: Inside the Private World of the White House , dives headfirst into a murder mystery set against one of the most iconic settings in the world. The story follows detective Cordelia Cupp (Uzo Aduba), who finds herself investigating what appears to be a suicide but is very much a murder, of the White House’s Head Usher, A.B. Wynter (Giancarlo Esposito). With 132 rooms and 157 potential suspects, the show wastes no time throwing viewers straight into the deep end of palace intrigue, only it’s the White House instead of a palace. © Netflix Honestly, following that many suspects, gets exhausting fast, especially because the show takes its time introducing each character’s connection to the victim. And to make matters worse, more than a few of them had borderline criminal interactions with A.B. Wynter the very night of his death. But what keeps this whole chaotic mess from spiraling is Uzo Aduba. She is, without a doubt, the heart and soul of this show. Her portrayal of Detective Cordelia Cupp is sharp, dry, and effortlessly fun to watch. Cupp is the kind of quirky detective you’ve seen before — detached, highly observant, socially awkward — but Aduba makes her feel fresh. She doesn’t play it up for comedy or force the eccentricities. Instead, her dry humor lands perfectly, especially during her deadpan observations or when she’s subtly toying with suspects mid-interview. Pairing Cupp with Randall Park’s FBI agent Edwin Park is one of the smartest decisions the show makes. Park’s character is naive, well-meaning, and the perfect “normal” foil to Cupp’s brilliance. Their chemistry feels natural, almost like watching two sides of the same coin. Park grounds the show, while Aduba keeps the mystery alive with every scene she’s in. Watching them bounce off each other is half the fun — Park getting flustered, Cupp dryly amused — it just works. (L-R) Randall Park and Uzo Aduba in The Residence . © Netflix Surprisingly, what caught me off guard was how The Residence somehow made the murder mystery... wholesome. The more time you spend with the suspects, the harder it becomes to imagine any of them as the murderer. The writing does such a good job of peeling back the layers that by episode four or five, I found myself rooting for most of them. You start thinking, “Maybe it was just a terrible accident?” because genuinely, a lot of these people don’t seem capable of cold-blooded murder. There’s something human about how the show explores the White House staff’s relationships such as their rivalries, unspoken love stories, ambitions, and quiet betrayals. It’s less about power plays and more about survival, about how far people will go to protect the little worlds they’ve built within those 132 rooms. But then there’s the whole Hugh Jackman subplot... and wow, that WAS painful. Every time his name popped up, I physically rolled my eyes. You sit there waiting for some grand reveal, some payoff thinking maybe he shows up, maybe there’s a twist, but no. It’s just name-drop after name-drop, with the occasional body double lurking in the background. It felt lazy, almost like a running gag that overstayed its welcome. Whatever they were going for with that... it didn’t land. The Residence is a solid binge. It perfectly balances mystery, dark humor, and heartfelt moments. Uzo Aduba carries this show on her back, turning what could’ve been another run-of-the-mill whodunnit into something worth sticking around for. But if I’m being honest, the show could’ve benefited from tighter pacing. Some episodes drag because of unnecessary bits like the shower gag or the random flashes of characters’ faces every time someone says their name. I get it, there are too many characters and they wanted to remind us who’s who but at some point, it becomes too much. Less is more. Still, if you’re in the mood for a murder mystery that’s chaotic, charming, and surprisingly emotional at times, The Residence is worth checking out. Maybe don’t expect Knives Out level tightness. Think of it as a murder mystery that meanders a little, but knows exactly when to pull you back in with its characters. Rating: ★★★½ About The Residence The Residence © Netflix Premiere Date:  March 20, 2025 Episode Count:  8 Executive Producers: Paul William Davies, Shonda Rhimes, Betsy Beers Writer: Paul William Davies Director: Liza Johnson Production:   Shondaland, Davies Heavy Industries Distribution:  Netflix Cast:   Uzo Aduba, Randall Park, Giancarlo Esposito, Susan Kelechi Watson, Jason Lee, Ken Marino, Edwina Findley, Molly Griggs, Al Mitchell, Dan Perrault, Spencer Garrett, Bronson Pinchot, Isiah Whitlock Jr., Mary Wiseman Synopsis: A brilliant, eccentric detective must solve a murder in the White House residence — where the staff and guests at a state dinner are all suspects.

Daredevil: Born Again hit a high mark this season with last week's release and unfortunately takes a step back with episode 4, "Sic Semper Systema". Disclaimer: This article contains minor spoilers for Daredevil: Born Again Season 1. Episode 4, "Sic Semper Systema", follows Matt Murdock(Charlie Cox) and Wilson Fisk(Vincent D'Onofrio as their darker halves fight to emerge. Admittedly, this episode feels a bit like the setup for what's to come rather than a solid episode on its own. It doesn't have a clear throughline, which leads to the feeling that it's just spinning its wheels. The production quality is there. The performances and cinematography are particularly strong points, but overall this episode suffers from odd pacing. Born Again went through a massive creative overhaul during its production and it shows. This episode suffers from the odd trend of a lot happening while feeling like nothing meaningful happens. Matt gets a new case (which has one of the more poignant subplots), Matt investigates Frank Castle(Jon Bernthal) to set up the inevitable conflict brewing with the police co-opting Punisher's symbol, Wilson and Vanessa(Ayelet Zurer) go to counseling, Muse is teased, Wilson's assistant makes a massive blunder. All this and about 3 to 5 other things happen, but most of them feel like they don't carry significant weight. RELATED: ‘Daredevil: Born Again’ Episode Titles Too Much and Too Little © MARVEL 2025 The Muse teases are especially baffling. They're obviously there to tease a villain who will presumably be a major player later in the season, but right now they feel disconnected. There are two scenes randomly interjected into this episode that have no relation to anything the audience has seen so far. It's jarring. Those aren't the only time the episode jumps around, though. The new case Matt picks up delivers some exceptional scenes and is broadly connected to one of the major themes of the show being the corruption and ineffectiveness of the systems for law and order that are in place. However, those scenes also feel randomly placed throughout the episode. The main issue with this episode is that it feels like nothing substantial changes from the end of last week to the end of this week, save for one noteworthy confrontation. The scene between Matt and Frank Castle is, as expected, dynamite. It's often talked about how perfect both Cox and Bernthal are in these roles, and the chemistry they have acting opposite each other, but it truly can't be overstated. The scene delivers. It's the one meaningful move forward "Sic Semper Systema" makes, but it still almost feels like a half-measure. It's a tease of what's to come. RELATED: REVIEW: 'Daredevil: Born Again' Season 1 Episode 3: A Trial of Masks © MARVEL 2025 This episode has glimmers of greatness but ultimately fails to live up to high expectations. Though it's still a thoroughly enjoyable episode of television, it's a noticeable step in the wrong direction. Outside of one standout scene, and the end-of-episode teasers, it doesn't find its voice as an independent hour of programming. With just over half the season left, here's hoping the back half kicks into high gear. Rating: ★★★☆☆ About Daredevil: Born Again © MARVEL 2025 Premiere Date:  March 4, 2025. Episode Count:  8 Executive Producer/Showrunner: Dario Scardapane Writers: Dario Scardapane, Brad Winderbaum Directors: Justin Benson & Aaron Moorhead, Michael Cuesta, Jeffrey Nachmanoff, David Boyd Production:  Marvel Television, Disney Distribution:  Disney Cast:   Charlie Cox, Vincent D’Onofrio, Margarita Levieva, Deborah Ann Woll, Elden Henson, Zabryna Guevara, Nikki James, Genneya Walton, Arty Froushan, Clark Johnson, Michael Gandolfini, with Ayelet Zurer and Jon Bernthal Synopsis: In Marvel Television’s “Daredevil: Born Again,” Matt Murdock (Charlie Cox), a blind lawyer with heightened abilities is fighting for justice through his bustling law firm, while former mob boss Wilson Fisk (Vincent D’Onofrio) pursues his own political endeavors in New York. When their past identities begin to emerge, both men find themselves on an inevitable collision course.