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This week on The Anime Effect: LeAlec and Alex chat with New York Giants' Jermaine Eluemunor about doing some damage with his Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba -inspired training, how anime inspires him on the field and more! In our audio-exclusive episode we fill you in on the latest news in the anime world including the most recent Demon Slayer movie and video game details , Cowboy Bebop coming to Fortnite and more! Episode 54 of The Anime Effect is now available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and anywhere else you listen to your podcasts! If you're waiting to watch the video episode, it'll be live on Crunchyroll and YouTube at 7 p.m. Et. Listen or Watch on: Episode 54 Summary In this week's news episode, Leah, Nick and Haley discuss the Haikyu!! vs. Chiisana Kyojin teaser trailer, Lazurus' release date announcement, among other updates. Plus, we talk to Jermaine Eluemunor about the My Hero Academia...

The fantasy genre has long portrayed demons as malicious beings, often drawing inspiration from folklore, mythology, and religious texts. However, Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End takes a unique approach, transforming them into apex predators that embody the most primal fears of humankind.

A still from Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End. | Credits: Studio Madhouse

Unlike traditional demons bound by moral ambiguity or tragic backstories, the demons of Frieren are cold, calculating, and biologically adapted to hunt humans. The series masterfully utilizes an age-old horror trope like vampires preying on the weak and weary under the cover of darkness and twists it to redefine demonic terror in a way rarely seen in modern fantasy.

The predatory nature of demons in Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End

In the natural world, predators hunt their prey when they are at their most vulnerable. For example, lions hunt at night when visibility is low, whereas wolves isolate their prey before attacking.

Jake Sisko & Wesley Crusher never met in the 24th Century

Cirroc Lofton's (DS9 - Jake Sisko) recent podcast "The 7th Rule" saw him interview Wil Wheaton (Tng - Wesley Crusher) where they reflected on their impact on portraying kids in Star Trek canon on their respective Starfleet vessels. Given both DS9 and Tng took place in the 24th Century, it struck me as significant these two young characters never connected in some type of viable crossover storyline.

We've seen Star Trek series, such as animated series like Star Trek: Prodigy (S1 E20 "Supernova: Part 2") that elevate the canon and continuity with the appearance of a wiser and older Wesley Crusher to honor the past to push the future beyond what we may know. It's this kind of crossover with Tng and Prodigy that Star Trek fandom loves to see, and I would like to see more as well there's...

Warning: contains spoilers for Star Trek #27!

Star Trek’s best new character in ages cannot be seen on TV, but the shows need to take note Asap. Two years ago, Idw Publishing rejuvenated its Star Trek comics’ line with a bold new approach: mix characters from across the franchise and send them up against a galactic threat. The books have also introduced exciting new characters, and one, Descheeni, may be the franchise’s best new addition.

Jackson Lanzing and Collin Kelly are no stranger to Star Trek comics, having written the acclaimed Year Five, also from Idw.

In Star Trek #27, written by Jackson Lanzing and Collin Kelly and drawn by Mike Feehan and Tess Fowler, fans get a good look into her character. Captain Sisko is throwing a dinner party to lighten the ship’s mood. Descheeni comes to the party in her civilian clothes, and brings a guitar. This impresses Ensign Lily Sato,...

Heroism is baked into every version of Doctor Who's main character, but there's an iconic scene from Matt Smith's era as the famous Time Lord that strongly establishes his Eleventh Doctor as the most courageous. The Doctor has saved the day countless times, but the process of regeneration arguably makes heroics a little easier to pull off. However, of every actor to play the Doctor, Smith played the iteration with the most to lose by risking his life as he embarked on some of the greatest Doctor Who stories of all time.

During Eleven's era, it's easy to forget that he has run out of regenerations. At the very least, being unaware of his origin as the Timeless Child makes him think he can't regenerate again. Time Lords are traditionally limited to 12 regenerations - in other words; 13 faces. Although Smith is only the Eleventh Doctor, the existence of John Hurt...

Doctor Who said goodbye to David Tennant for the first time in 2009 when the Tenth Doctor regenerated, but his iconic departure stands apart from that of his predecessors in a way that the show never openly acknowledges. Of all the actors to play the Doctor, Tennant's Tenth arguably experienced the most drawn-out version of the regeneration process. While preparing to change his face, he managed to hold off the ordeal long enough to visit all his old friends one last time. However, there's another reason beyond Ten's emotional farewell tour that makes his regeneration so unique.

Every Doctor Who regeneration sequence comes with consequences, but the main one is that the long-running sci-fi show's lead actor is replaced. The phenomenon has contributed massively to the franchise's 60-year history, as no single actor is required for the story to continue. That being said, there was a time when the Doctor's...

Anime piracy has been a huge problem all over the world. While it is a great opportunity for otakus to watch any series of their liking for free, its impact on the Japanese anime industry has been disastrous. The monetary loss that has occurred in the last decade has been staggering.

Thus, it was only a matter of time before governments of different countries banded together against piracy. Beneath the surface of the creative and passion-fueled anime industry lies the dark underbelly of piracy, and it’s high time that strict measures were taken against it.

Major Piracy Websites are Being Shut Down One After Another Frieren Beyond Journey’s End is one of the top pirated anime in 2023 | Credits: Madhouse

The Motion Pictures Association of America (MPA) has sent an overview of the biggest piracy markets via Torrent Freak to the U. S. government, and the list includes the worst offenders.

Donna Noble, played by Catherine Tate, is one of the most popular Doctor Who characters ever. Fans loved her no-nonsense attitude and her forceful personality. And she had a fascinating relationship with the Doctor. They loved each other very much, but unlike with other Doctor Who companions, it was strictly platonic. They were more like brother and sister.

Something terrible happened to Donna at the end of season four, and not long after that, the show rebooted with a new Doctor, as it does every few years or so, and Donna was seemingly forgotten. But then she made a triumphant return in a series of specials in 2023, and that increased her popularity even more.

Donna Suffered an Awful Fate in "Journey's End"

The episode "Journey's End", the season four finale, is a great showcase for Donna. Catherine Tate perfectly portrays her range of emotions throughout the episode. But the ending is sad,...

The Sailor Moon manga series began in the early 1990s from the creative genius of Naoko Takeuchi. Over the years, it grew into a worldwide phenomenon spanning anime, movies, and musicals. Now, nearly 30 years later, the Cosmos movies bring Usagi Tsukino’s epic tale to its conclusion.

For those unfamiliar, Sailor Moon follows a group of magical girls tasked with protecting Earth from evil forces. Usagi heads the team as the pretty guardian Sailor Moon. Across numerous story arcs, they’ve battled threats lurking in the shadows of their high school lives.

The Cosmos movies cover the final story section from the original manga, known as the “Stars” arc. In it, Usagi and friends enter their first year of high school. But dark times are ahead as a new foe appears, the powerful Sailor Galaxia. She aims to collect mystical items called Sailor Crystals, possessing untold power. Even more shocking,...

While every isekai series begins with the journey of the hero party to defeat the demon king, Frieren takes the opposite road. Frieren begins after the heroes have already defeated their foes, and a peaceful reign is about to begin. The anime follows the titular character, Frieren, an elf whose lifespan will outlast generations of humans, who goes on several other journeys while trying to figure out the depth of human emotions.

Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End | Madhouse Studio

The anime became a huge hit soon after its debut and why not? The series’ unique premise and characters are bound to hit home with lovers of all genre. Now that the first season of the anime has ended, here’s the top 5 anime that will make you experience the same sea of emotions that Frieren did.

#5 Kino’s Journey Kino’s Journey | Credits: Studio Acgt

Frieren is an elf who has a lifespan covering millenniums.

When Doctor Who rebooted back in 2005, showrunner Russell T. Davies made sure that the new companions would have families. This meant they'd have stronger ties to Earth, something more to lose if their travels with the Doctor went awry, and greater depth of character. And it paid off audiences loved the new family storylines.

In many cases, the companion's family members grew into strong characters in their own right and had their own development. Other times, they were just fun side characters. Either way, their inclusion in Doctor Who enhances the show and makes it feel more real.

Sylvia Noble Became a Better Person Played by: Jacqueline King

First appearance

Last appearance

The Runaway Bride (2006)

The Giggle (2023)

Donna Noble had a difficult relationship with her mother, Sylvia. Sylvia was always talking down to Donna and treating her like she was useless. Although she didn't seem to be doing this on purpose,...

This post contains spoilers for Star Trek: Prodigy.

With the exception of Miles O’Brien, Wesley Crusher may have suffered more than any other Star Trek character. Not so much on screen, though few of us would be able to recover from a sharp “Shut up” from Captain Picard. Rather, Crusher has suffered off-screen, at the hands of viewers who hated having a precocious kid on the Enterprise during The Next Generation era and started groups devoted to imagining the character’s death.

Although Wesley has cameoed in the years after he left Tng with the Traveler, including in Picard and Lower Decks, it was still something of a surprise when Wesley returned in the second season of Star Trek: Prodigy in a more involved role. It was an even bigger surprise that fans welcomed him back with such elation, something that came as a real joy to Wesley performer, Wil Wheaton.

Hammer Films returns to life with a new owner and a new slate of movies, and up first is the Eddie Izzard-starring Doctor Jekyll. The studio has released a second Doctor Jekyll trailer this afternoon, giving a closer look at the horror-induced insanity ahead.

Look for Doctor Jekyll in US theaters and VOD on August 2, 2024.

Director Joe Stephenson, of acclaimed drama “Chicken” and feature documentary “McKellen: Playing the Part,” developed the new adaptation of the classic tale from Robert Louis Stevenson’s 1886 novella with first time writer Dan Kelly-Mulhern.

Doctor Jekyll focuses on a reclusive Nina Jekyll finding friendship with her newly hired help, Rob, played by rising star Scott Chambers, who must work together to prevent Hyde from destroying her life.

The film is described as “a slow-burn gothic horror that delves into themes of duality, concocting a surprising mix of dark humor and flashes of camp within a twisted fairytale.

Warning: This article contains Spoilers for Star Trek: Prodigy season 2.

Wesley Crusher's return in Star Trek: Prodigy ties back to his original prodigy storyline in The Next Generation. Time travel complicates Wesley's age in Prodigy, suggesting he exists outside the normal flow of time. Wil Wheaton, who is older than Wesley, makes a comeback as Traveler Wesley Crusher in Prodigy.

How old is Star Trek: The Next Generation's Wesley Crusher (Wil Wheaton) when he returns in Star Trek: Prodigy? It's fitting that Wesley's return is integrated so well into Star Trek: Prodigy since Wesley Crusher was Star Trek's original prodigy as a teenager on Star Trek: The Next Generation. Wesley showed promise as an acting ensign on the USS Enterprise-d and Starfleet Academy cadet before joining the Traveler (Eric Menyuk) in Star Trek: The Next Generation season 7, episode 20, "Journey's End". Aside from a brief cameo in Star Trek: Picard,...

“So, you have questions about time travel?” asks Starfleet science officer Dr. Erin MacDonald in the fourth episode of Star Trek: Prodigy‘s second season. “You’ve come to the right place.”

Without question, time travel has long been a major part of the Star Trek. franchise. Kirk, Picard, and everyone else have bounced back and forward in time, whether to save the whales, hang out with Sarah Silverman, escape an evil AI, or save a young Khan.

But while these stories generally turn out to be a lot of fun, they’re not always clear. Like most big science fiction franchise, Trek often fudges the specifics of its time travel adventures, putting cool story ahead of scientific precision.

Fortunately, when Prodigy used real-life astrophysicist and aerospace engineer Erin Macdonald in an instructional video, it laid down Trek‘s time travel rules in detail, for the first time.

The Great,...

This Star Trek: Prodigy article contains spoilers.

For decades, Chakotay represented one of Star Trek‘s greatest failures. Chakotay was introduced in Star Trek: Voyager as the franchise’s first Native lead character, a course correction from Trek‘s embarrassing depictions of Native culture in the past (see “The Paradise Syndrome” from The Original Series and “Journey’s End” from The Next Generation).

Whatever producers’ intentions, Chakotay made matters worse. Not only did they fail to cast a Native actor in the part (Robert Beltran is Mexican American) but they hired a scam artist who called himself Jamake Highwater as consultant on the character, despite the fact that he had already been exposed as a Jewish man who pretended to be Native.

Making matters worse, producers lost interest in Chakotay after the third season of Voyager, giving him less to do, much to Beltran’s frustration. Hoping to get released from the show,...

Doctor Who takes advantage of its filler episodes to catapult the show in brand-new directions, exploring unique ideas and themes. As Doctor Who's "romp" stories are more light-hearted in nature, they perfectly encapsulate the show's quirky charm. Season 1's reduced amount of episodes meant that there was less space for self-contained episodes which were divorced from the series' overarching narrative threads.

With the newest season of Doctor Who at an end, certain episodes have made a more positive impression on fans than others. The cheesy, over-the-top, and outright ridiculous aspects of the first few episodes featuring Ncuti Gatwa as the Doctor and Millie Gibson as his companion Ruby turned some fans off from the Disney+ run of the sci-fi classic, with the first official episode of the season, "Space Babies," earning a low 5.2 on IMDb.

This season is far from the first one to have its share of camp,...

One of the most interesting aspects of last season's Frieren: Beyond Journey's End anime was its narrative structure, throwing the viewer into the story of the titular elf decades after defeating the Demon King and disbanding the party — usually the juiciest part of any series. The story picks up as Frieren begins a new journey, discovering more about herself and what she may have missed the first time around. Beyond the anime, a special exhibition titled "The Story Begins Where The Adventure Ends" was held in Ikebukuro last month, bringing Frieren's journey to life and letting people wander through both of her adventures. Ikebukuro's Sunshine City hosted the event, which ran alongside a Sgt. Frog exhibition and a Detective Conan takeover of the entire mall in celebration of the latest film. This takeover included both Frieren and Conan characters lining the walls leading up to the mall space in special...

Hammer Films returns to life with a new owner and a new slate of movies, and up first is the Eddie Izzard-starring Doctor Jekyll. While the new Hammer horror film debuted in UK cinemas last Halloween, it’s finally set to make its way stateside this summer.

Look for Doctor Jekyll in US theaters and VOD on August 2, 2024.

Director Joe Stephenson, of acclaimed drama “Chicken” and feature documentary “McKellen: Playing the Part,” developed the new adaptation of the classic tale from Robert Louis Stevenson’s 1886 novella with first time writer Dan Kelly-Mulhern.

Doctor Jekyll focuses on a reclusive Nina Jekyll finding friendship with her newly hired help, Rob, played by rising star Scott Chambers, who must work together to prevent Hyde from destroying her life.

The film is described as “a slow-burn gothic horror that delves into themes of duality, concocting a surprising mix of dark humor and flashes...

Doctor Who season 14 brings back familiar faces and introduces new characters for a thrilling new era. The Timeless Child storyline shakes up the Doctor's past and connection to Gallifrey. Ruby Sunday's mysterious origin and Donna's meta-crisis connection promise exciting developments in season 14.

With the upcoming season of Doctor Who nearly here, it's worth considering what details from the show need recapping in preparation. The first episode of Doctor Who season 14 is dropping on May 11 and will launch the first full season of Ncuti Gatwa's Fifteenth Doctor and Millie Gibson's Ruby Sunday. The Doctor Who season 14 cast will see the return of several familiar faces, such as Gemma Redgrave as Kate Stewart and Bonnie Langford as Mel Bush, as well as some new ones, like Jonathan Groff's unnamed character and Jinkx Monsoon as Maestro.

Doctor Who season 14, or the brand new season 1, is also the first entire season...

The Maquis changed Star Trek by subverting perceptions of Starfleet, forcing introspection on the human costs of Federation missions. Star Trek: Deep Space Nine set the stage for Voyager through the Maquis conflict, challenging the ideals of the Federation. The Maquis introduced conflict between Starfleet officers, creating a more morally complex and rich version of Star Trek.

30 years ago, the Maquis made their debut in Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, and by subverting perceptions of Starfleet, they changed the course of the Star Trek universe forever. The Maquis were created for use in Star Trek: Voyager, a rogue element that would be stranded in the Delta Quadrant with the USS Voyager's Starfleet crew. To prepare for Voyager's 1995 premiere, both DS9 and Star Trek: The Next Generation began seeding the Maquis from April 1994. The Tng episode "Journey's End" established the political situation that spawned the Maquis, while DS9's eponymous two-parter formally introduced the terrorist organization.

DS9 set the stage for Voyager's fate, including the introduction of the Maquis and the crucial Badlands location. Commander Sisko's pursuit of the Maquis in DS9 foreshadowed Voyager's disappearance in the Badlands. The Badlands played a significant role in Voyager's pilot episode, setting the stage for the crew's journey to the Delta Quadrant.

The fate of the USS Voyager was foreshadowed by Commander Benjamin Sisko (Avery Brooks) in Star Trek: Deep Space Nine season 2. With Star Trek: Voyager slated to premiere in January 1995, DS9 season 2 and Star Trek: The Next Generation season 7 laid some of the groundwork for the new show. The biggest way that DS9 and Tng set up Voyager was the introduction of the Maquis, the terrorist organization that would provide the rogue element in Voyager's cast of characters. The Tng episode "Journey's End" set up the political situation from which they originated, while DS9's two-parter...

Wesley Crusher's actions sparked the creation of the Maquis, a terrorist organization opposing Cardassian occupation. The Maquis were introduced in Star Trek: Deep Space, but their origin can be traced back to Wesley's act of defiance in Tng. Wesley's decision on Dorvan V had a ripple effect, impacting characters in DS9 and Voyager, changing the fabric of the Star Trek universe.

Star Trek: The Next Generation's Wesley Crusher (Wil Wheaton) is largely to blame for the creation of the Maquis terrorist organization. The Maquis were created for Star Trek: Voyager as the show wanted a rogue element among its crew, but the organization was seeded in Tng and the Star Trek: Deep Space Nine two-parter "The Maquis". Discussing the Maquis in the reference book Star Trek: The Next Generation 365, Ronald D. Moore reflected that they were a controversial addition that led to disagreements between producers Rick Berman...

David Tennant's Fourteenth Doctor's ability to bi-generate again depends on whether the Toymaker was responsible the first time. The Toymaker may have unknowingly helped the Fourteenth Doctor to bi-generate. Doctor Who needs to confirm whether the Doctor's ability to bi-generate was a one-time deal.

The Doctor Who 60th-anniversary specials included a huge addition to the show's lore by having the Doctor split into two autonomous beings, but it's possible that the famous Time Lord may never be capable of repeating the feat. David Tennant's return to Doctor Who placed the actor twice in the Doctor's timeline. While Tennant originally played the Tenth Doctor, who regenerated into Matt Smith's Eleventh, Tennant's Fourteenth Doctor is still present despite handing the baton to Ncuti Gatwa's Fifteenth. Doctor Who's shocking bi-generation twist was something no one saw coming, but it also may have been a one-off event.

The Fourteenth Doctor is...

In Star Trek #19, by Jackson Lanzing, Collin Kelly and Megan Levens, the stage is set for Wesley Crusher's epic return. Wesley's organization, the Travelers, are a powerful, but mysterious group who may hold the key to the franchise's god war. There could also be dire ramifications if Wesley meets his mother for the first time in years.

Warning: contains spoilers for Star Trek #19!

Wesley Crusher has been suspiciously absent from Star Trek’s franchise-shaking god war, but now the stage has been set for his return. Wesley’s mother, Doctor Beverly Crusher, was a key player in the god war–but little mention has been made of her god-like son. Now, in Star Trek #19, Doctor Crusher and the crew of the Theseus are heading to the Pleroma–and maybe Wesley Crusher as well.

Star Trek #19 is written by Jackson Lanzing and Collin Kelly and drawn by Megan Levens.

Don’t miss the captivating conclusion of “Icons Unearthed: The Lord of The Rings” as Season 1 Episode 6, titled “Journey’s End,” airs this Wednesday at 10:00 Pm on Vice. In this final episode, viewers will delve deep into the visionary mind of director Peter Jackson as he pushes the boundaries of storytelling both on the page and on the screen.

As the epic saga of Middle-earth draws to a close, audiences will witness the culmination of years of dedication and passion as the cast and crew bring the iconic tale to life. With groundbreaking special effects, breathtaking scenery, and unforgettable performances, “Icons Unearthed: The Lord of The Rings” has left an indelible mark on the film industry.

Join Vice for this unforgettable journey as a chapter comes to a close, leaving its lasting legacy on cinema and captivating audiences around the world. Tune in at 10:00 Pm on Wednesday to witness...

When producer Alex Kurtzman launched Star Trek: Discovery nearly a decade ago, the idea of bringing the Star Trek franchise back to TV was a gamble. Back in 2015, the most popular science fiction TV series were either on the SyFy Channel or Doctor Who. After having gone out with a whimper with Enterprise in 2005, could Trek rematerialize as a fully rejuvenated version of itself? Could a mainstream audience be enticed back to the final frontier by yet another new crew? At first, the answer was maybe.

After several delays, Star Trek: Discovery debuted in 2017 on a newly minted streaming service, CBS All-Access, and the reviews were mixed. After the departure of Bryan Fuller, some critics felt Disco’s first season had a patchwork quality, amounting to a Trek tapestry that was as challenging as it was audacious. To say Discovery’s early years were some of the riskiest in Trek...

Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood is a well-rounded anime with a broad audience base. While most famous anime often target a specific audience, be it shounen, seinen, shoujo, or kodomo, Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood appealed to otakus from every age and genre.

For almost a decade, it has reigned as the top anime/manga on Anime News Network and My Anime List. These lists are trustworthy resources for otakus and are based on the rankings of millions of anime watchers.

So when a Fall 2023 anime burst into the scene and overtook Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood in a single swoop, everyone could feel a change in the air.

Which anime overtook Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood?

Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End, a Fall 2023 anime, took over Fullmetal Alchemist Brotherhood‘s top spot in the Anime News Network and My Anime List rankings.

Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood (2009)

Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood was released in 2009. Studio Bones produced 64 episodes that won over a huge number of otakus.

Former Molinare CEO Steve Milne has joined post-production outfit Cinelab Film & Digital as vice-chairman.

Milne served as Molinare’s chief executive from 2003 to 2010 before returning to the company in 2012 as chairman until 2018.

At Cinelab, Milne will work closely with CEO Adrian Bull on corporate strategy and customer relations. The company is a full-service film laboratory, digital dailies and post-production facility, and has worked on recent features All Of Us Strangers, Poor Things and Society Of The Snow.

In addition to post-production services, Milne also set up his own production outfit British Film Company in 2010. Here, he produced and exec...

Doctor Who has had numerous regenerations, but the best ones embody the show's themes of adventure and joy while introducing new directions. The worst regeneration is the Sixth Doctor's, as it's a cynical and emotionless removal of the actor from the role. The Twelfth Doctor's regeneration is the best, with a heartfelt speech that captures the essence of the character and provides a hopeful farewell.

Doctor Who debuted over fifty years ago, featuring over a dozen performers in the lead role of the Doctor thanks in part to the concept of regeneration. An ability possessed by their alien race known as the Time Lords, regeneration allows the Doctor to heal otherwise fatal injuries, changing their appearance and personality in the process. Introduced as a way to recast the role in-universe when the First Doctor William Hartnell's health deteriorated, each subsequent Doctor has departed the show with a regeneration.

While...

This Doctor Who article contains spoilers.

“He’s saying you need to stop,” companion Donna Noble tells the Fourteenth Doctor after the Fifteenth Doctor lists off a litany of adventures from the first Doctor on. A pained expression covers Fourteen as he admits, “I don’t know how.”

That confession rings true for viewers, and not just because it comes from David Tennant, who is both a great actor and a frequent returnee to Doctor Who, most recently for the three 60th Anniversary Specials. And it’s not just because we know the Doctor as a person on the move. Ever since the character’s introduction in 1963, the Doctor has been defined by restlessness. Even when grounded on Earth, as was the case for the Third Doctor, or stuck defending a base under siege, the Doctor does not sit still. They search for answers, save the day, and then off...

Chakotay's homeworld was never clarified in Star Trek: Voyager, but it was originally intended to be Dorvan V, a planet featured in Star Trek: The Next Generation. The tribe on Dorvan V refused to leave the planet because they considered it their home, which parallels Chakotay's desire to preserve his heritage. Inconsistencies between Chakotay's backstory and the tribe on Dorvan V made it impossible to confirm if Chakotay was from that planet, creating plot holes in his character's origin story.

Star Trek: Voyager never clarified what Commander Chakotay's (Robert Beltran) homeworld was, but an episode of Star Trek: The Next Generation might hold the answer. Chakotay was the USS Voyager's former Maquis First Officer, and also the first Native character to be part of the main cast of any show on the Star Trek timeline. Despite issues with the depiction of his heritage, Chakotay's ancestry was a big part of his character,...

Dr. Beverly Crusher's love interests on Star Trek: The Next Generation were just one aspect of her well-rounded character. Each romantic relationship explored deep and sincere feelings, raising questions about the nature of love itself. Crusher's longest and most poignant relationship was with Admiral Jean-Luc Picard, which spanned years and showcased their mutual love and respect.

On Star Trek: The Next Generation, Dr. Beverly Crusher's (Gates McFadden) romantic life was presented as just one aspect of her well-rounded character, with only a handful of Crusher's unique love interests sprinkled throughout Tng's seven-year run. Tng episodes dedicated to Beverly as a character generally focused on her career as Chief Medical Officer of the USS Enterprise-d, her role as mother to Wesley Crusher (Wil Wheaton), or as a friend to the Enterprise crew, with the occasional B-story highlighting Beverly's theatrical hobby, a trait she shared with Gates McFadden.

While Dr. Crusher remained...

This Doctor Who article contains spoilers.

Should David Tennant die? That is a far more controversial question this week than it was last week. Last Saturday, Doctor Who viewers, who have few certainties to rely on at the best of times, sat down with the unshakeable confidence that, one way or another, they were going to watch Tennant’s take on the Doctor meet a tragic end, again.

Yes, if forced to guess, we would have bet that his ending would be a bit more uplifting than he saw at the end of his last run (“The Doctor doesn’t want to die and thinks that the next version of him is an imposter” is apparently a legacy Davies only likes to leave for other showrunners to pick up). But none of us could have foreseen the regeneration splitting the Doctor in two, like a bacterium, or Captain Kirk when...

This post contains spoilers for the "Doctor Who" 60th Anniversary Special "The Giggle."

When the news broke that Russell T. Davies would be returning to "Doctor Who" for the first time in more than a decade, there was a lot to be excited for and a lot be worried about. Davies had a great original run, arguably the best of the three modern showrunners, but his plot resolutions often left a bit to be desired. He had a tendency to throw all logic and continuity out the window for the sake of a happy ending, like in the "Doctor Who" season 4 finale where the Doctor managed to withhold his regeneration by basically transferring his regenerative energy into a severed hand of his, creating a clone of himself.

This all served the purpose of giving former companion Rose a happy ending. She got to live with the clone Doctor in her own alternate universe,...

Tom Hiddleston’s Cinematic Voyage: Breaking Free from Loki and the Marvel Universe ( Photo Credit – IMDb )

In the vibrant tapestry of Hollywood, Tom Hiddleston first caught my attention in 2011 when he brought the mischievous Loki to life in Thor. However, his journey into the realm of cinema began long before that iconic role. Hiddleston’s cinematic voyage commenced with memorable performances in Joanna Hogg’s film Unrelated (2007). As Loki gained widespread recognition within the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Hiddleston expanded his horizons beyond the MCU, taking on a prominent leading role in the high-budget film Kong: Skull Island (2017). This venture underscored his versatility, proving his ability to command the big screen with distinction.

Beyond the glitz of Hollywood blockbusters, Hiddleston is a seasoned stage performer. His theatrical journey began with a remarkable debut in Journey’s End in 1999, marking the inception of a prolific stage career. Engaging in various theatrical productions, including...

Warning: Contains Spoilers for Doctor Who - "The Giggle."

Doctor Who showrunner Russell T Davies had the idea of the Doctor's bi-regeneration for a long time. The bi-regeneration allows the Fourteenth and Fifteenth Doctors to stand side-by-side and interact. Davies wanted the old Doctor to talk to the new Doctor and create an adventure together, which he finally achieved with the bi-regeneration concept.

Doctor Who showrunner Russell T Davies has had the idea of the Doctor's bi-regeneration for ages. Historically, after the Doctor experiences a fatal injury, they undergo a process called regeneration, which allows them to take on a new face to continue on. After the third 60th Anniversary special, however, the Fourteenth Doctor experienced a bi-regeneration, where he regenerated into two different selves. Because of that process, the Fourteenth and Fifteenth Doctors were able to stand side-by-side and interact.

While the bi-regeneration is a new concept for the show,...

Warning: Contains Spoilers for Doctor Who - "The Giggle."

Doctor Who showrunner Russell T Davies had the idea of the Doctor's bi-regeneration for a long time. The bi-regeneration allows the Fourteenth and Fifteenth Doctors to stand side-by-side and interact. Davies wanted the old Doctor to talk to the new Doctor and create an adventure together, which he finally achieved with the bi-regeneration concept.

Doctor Who showrunner Russell T Davies has had the idea of the Doctor's bi-regeneration for ages. Historically, after the Doctor experiences a fatal injury, they undergo a process called regeneration, which allows them to take on a new face to continue on. After the third 60th Anniversary special, however, the Fourteenth Doctor experienced a bi-regeneration, where he regenerated into two different selves. Because of that process, the Fourteenth and Fifteenth Doctors were able to stand side-by-side and interact.

While the bi-regeneration is a new concept for the show,...

Warning: Contains Spoilers for Doctor Who - "The Giggle."

In Doctor Who's 60th anniversary special, the Doctor experiences a bi-generation, splitting into two separate incarnations. The bi-generation allows for a multi-Doctor special and sets up future stories for both Ncuti Gatwa and David Tennant. While the Doctors appear to retain their memories, the Fifteenth Doctor may have some gaps, creating new dynamics and challenges for the character.

Doctor Who has made history with its first ever bi-generation as Ncuti Gatwa succeeded David Tennant as the Doctor in the final 60th anniversary special, "The Giggle." Facing off against a returning 1960s villain, the Toymaker (Neil Patrick Harris), the Fourteenth Doctor was shot by a Galvanic beam to trigger a regeneration. Due to the rules of the Doctor and the Toymaker's game, the cosmic trickster decides that a new incarnation should play their third and final game. However, the Toymaker got more than he bargained for when,...

[Warning: The below contains Major spoilers for the third Doctor Who 60th anniversary special, “The Giggle.”] “I don’t want to go,” David Tennant’s (Tenth) Doctor said when he regenerated into Matt Smith’s (Eleventh) on Doctor Who in 2010, and now, once again, we don’t want to say goodbye to him (especially after only three specials). But hey, we do get Ncuti Gatwa as the Fifteenth Doctor — and in quite the twist! But first, before we get to Tennant’s latest regeneration scene — following Nine to Ten, the “Journey’s End” fake-out thanks to the hand he channeled the excess energy into, Ten to Eleven, and Thirteen to Fourteen — The Doctor has one last game to play, against the Toymaker (Neil Patrick Harris). It all begins in Soho in 1925, with the puppet Stooky Bill John Logie Baird’s employee buys from the Toymaker’s shop for the inventor to use in his attempt to prove the television works.

Quick Links No Place Was a Memorable Audio Drama The Star Beast is a Must-Read Story Born Again Helped to Usher in a New Doctor Partners In Crime Reunited Two Fan Favorites Liberation Of The Daleks Uses the Classic Enemies in an Interesting Way The Stolen Earth/Journey's End Was the Perfect Ending to the Fourth Series The Runaway Bride is the Perfect Entrance Point for New Fans The Power Of The Doctor is a Nostalgic Trip The End Of Time is an Emotional Rollercoaster Destination: Skaro Provides Some Much-Needed Backstory

Doctor Who's 60th anniversary has arrived, and the series' new episodes will delight fans new and old. David Tennant and Catherine Tate's continued adventures as the Doctor and Donna promise to delight viewers, with some of television's most bold and ambitious storylines. The first of Russell T Davies's 60th-anniversary Specials, "The Star Beast," is now available to stream on Disney Plus.

This post contains spoilers for Doctor Who: The Star Beast

The first Doctor Who 60th Anniversary Special may have brought back David Tennant and Catherine Tate, and even adapted a comic book story from 1980. But make no mistake, the special takes the Doctor into new territory, at least in the United States.

The first special “The Star Beast” dropped on its usual home at the BBC in the UK, but it debuted on Disney+ for the rest of the world. The same will be true of the next two specials, “Wild Blue Yonder” and “The Giggle,” preparing the way for the show’s fourteenth season since the 2004 reboot, which will air eight episodes across 2024.

The Story Thus Far

As the Doctor himself puts it in the most recent Children in Need special, he was this brilliant woman and now he’s back wearing an old face. In more complicated terms,...

Warning: This article contains spoilers for "Doctor Who: The Star Beast."

Yasmin Finney gives a tour of Rose Noble's shed workshop from the Doctor Who 60th anniversary episode "The Star Beast," revealing Easter eggs. The shed set showcases Rose's collection of Gonk plush toys inspired by Doctor Who's history, including monsters from different seasons. The shed's design serves both a narrative purpose and pays tribute to Doctor Who's diverse franchise history with hidden monsters.

Yasmin Finney gives a tour of Rose Noble's shed workshop from Doctor Who's first 60th anniversary episode, "The Star Beast," revealing a number of Easter eggs. The Heartstopper star joined the sci-fi franchise as the daughter of former companion Donna Noble (Catherine Tate) and Shaun Noble (Karl Collins). In "The Star Beast," Rose has established a small business making plushes she names "Gonks" in the hopes of earning some money to help her parents,...

Warning: Contains Spoilers for Doctor Who - "The Star Beast."

The split metacrisis in "The Star Beast" hints at a potential spinoff for David Tennant's Fourteenth Doctor on Disney+. Donna and Rose's solution to the metacrisis could have interesting consequences for the Fourteenth Doctor in the remaining specials. The possibility of the Fourteenth Doctor splitting into a new incarnation could allow the series to move forward with Ncuti Gatwa's Doctor, leaving David Tennant's character behind for future adventures on Disney+.

The resolution to Doctor Who's metacrisis subtly teases a potential Disney+ spinoff for David Tennant's Fourteenth Doctor. In "The Star Beast", the first of three Doctor Who 60th anniversary specials, writer and showrunner Russell T Davies restored the memories of Donna Noble (Catherine Tate) while also saving her life. Donna's daughter Rose (Yasmin Finney) was the key to solving the issue, as she had inherited half of her mother's Time Lord mind.

Warning: contains Spoilers for Doctor Who episode “The Star Beast” and several modern Doctor Who episodes

The internet is still whirring after that explosive first episode of the three Doctor Who 60th anniversary specials, with the return of David Tennant as the Fourteenth Doctor and his beloved ex-companion Donna Noble (Catherine Tate).

There was certainly a lot to take in: “The Star Beast” saw an alien spaceship crash-landing in London, the arrival of the adorably fluffy Meep and sinister, bug-eyed Wrarth Warriors, the return of Unit (the international intelligence taskforce that investigates alien activity), and the very real threat that if Donna remembers who The Doctor is, she’ll die.

We also met Donna’s family, including her husband Shaun and daughter Rose, whom we eventually learn has genetically absorbed some of the metacrisis that threatened Donna’s life, subconsciously giving her some of The Doctor and Donna’s memories.

Donna Noble's original exit subtly set up her daughter Rose's trans identity in the 2023 Doctor Who special. The "binary" line in Donna's exit hinted at Rose's gender identity, symbolizing the intermingling of Time Lord and human biology. "The Star Beast" episode further hinted at Rose's connection to the Doctor through her chosen name, toy creations, and the shape of her shed.

Warning: This article contains spoilers for Doctor Who’s 60th anniversary special, episode 1, “The Star Beast.”

Donna Noble's original exit secretly set up her daughter Rose's trans identity 15 years before the Doctor Who 60th-anniversary special.

Doctor Who is the longest-running sci-fi series on television, which is no surprise given the wonderful elements of the show. The series is known for its titular main character, zany storylines, and creative aliens. What the show doesn’t get enough credit for is its writing. Doctor Who has created a number of complex...

Donna Noble's original exit subtly set up her daughter Rose's trans identity in the 2023 Doctor Who special. The "binary" line in Donna's exit hinted at Rose's gender identity, symbolizing the intermingling of Time Lord and human biology. "The Star Beast" episode further hinted at Rose's connection to the Doctor through her chosen name, toy creations, and the shape of her shed.

Warning: This article contains spoilers for Doctor Who’s 60th anniversary special, episode 1, “The Star Beast.”

Donna Noble's original exit secretly set up her daughter Rose's trans identity 15 years before the Doctor Who 60th-anniversary special.

Doctor Who is the longest-running sci-fi series on television, which is no surprise given the wonderful elements of the show. The series is known for its titular main character, zany storylines, and creative aliens. What the show doesn’t get enough credit for is its writing. Doctor Who has created a number of complex...

David Tennant and Catherine Tate return as the Fourteenth Doctor and Donna in Doctor Who's 60th anniversary specials. Doctor Who's first special, "The Star Beast," resolves Donna's deadly memory conundrum and paves the way for more Donna Noble stories. Despite "The Star Beast's" resolution, Donna's future in Doctor Who is uncertain as she faces potential danger in upcoming specials.

The following contains spoilers for Doctor Who, "The Star Beast," now streaming on Disney+ and BBC iPlayer.

David Tennant and Catherine Tate are back on Doctor Who. It has been 15 years since the Tenth Doctor and Donna Noble concluded their travels through time and space with one another -- an adventure that came to a tragic conclusion in 2008's Season 4 finale, "Journey's End." Now, Tennant is returning as the older and wiser Fourteenth Doctor, while Tate is picking up Donna's story in the midst of her new life with her new family.

Going into the first of three 60th anniversary specials for "Doctor Who," fans had a lot of questions. Why was the Doctor (David Tennant) back in the body of the 10th Doctor? What has Donna (Catherine Tate) been up to over the past thirteen years? And most importantly, how can Donna return as a companion if her memory's been wiped? In season 4's "Journey's End" and in Tennant's final two-parter, "The End of Time," it was made very clear that Donna cannot be allowed to remember anything about the Doctor, or she'll die. Yet now she's back in the Tardis not just for "The Star Beast," but for two more specials.

Well, "The Star Beast" didn't solve the mystery of the Doctor's returning face, but it did answer all our questions about Donna. Where's she been all these years? She's stayed in London, still married to Shaun Temple (Karl Collins...

Warning: spoilers ahead for Doctor Who 60th anniversary special "The Star Beast."

Donna Noble's family plays a significant role in Doctor Who, with various members getting involved in the Doctor's adventures. Donna's mother, Sylvia, has tried to prevent Donna from remembering her travels with the Doctor and remains skeptical of him. Shaun Temple, Donna's husband, only learns about her secret past and connection to the Doctor in the 60th anniversary special.

Donna Noble may be the most notable member of her family in terms of saving the universe from temporal doom, but all of her relatives have some importance to the world of Doctor Who. The days of young Tardis companions abandoning anonymous families to join the Doctor's adventures are over. In modern Doctor Who, the entire family gets involved, whether that be Jackie Tyler and Mickey Smith, the Jones family, or Rory's dad hunting dinosaurs. Out of all...