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TL;DR: Get a lifetime Windows 11 Pro license for one PC for $9.97 (reg. $199) during the Microsoft Flash Sale through Oct. 20.

Opens in a new window Credit: Microsoft Microsoft Windows 11 Pro $9.97
$199 Save $189.03   Get Deal

If your PC has been running a little sluggish or you’ve been meaning to bring your system up to speed, Windows 11 Pro is just $9.97 (MSRP $199) through 11:59 p.m. PT on Oct.20 as part of this Microsoft Flash Sale — a rare, time-sensitive offer that rewards quick, savvy decisions.

This isn’t about chasing trends; it’s more about giving your computer the modern foundation it deserves. Windows 11 Pro brings a sleeker UI, better multitasking, and enhanced security — all in a one-time lifetime license.

Think of it as the difference between driving a reliable car and suddenly upgrading to one with a smarter dashboard, smoother handling, and built-in security features.

For professionals, creators, and power users, this upgrade also unlocks features like Hyper-V, Windows Sandbox, BitLocker encryption, and seamless Azure AD integration — tools that make a real difference when you’re working across projects or managing sensitive data.

And yes, Windows 11 comes with Copilot, Microsoft’s AI-powered assistant that can summarize pages, change settings, or even help you generate code on the fly. It’s like having a co-pilot (literally) inside your OS.

But you don’t need convincing — you already know a smart upgrade when you see one.

Get Windows 11 Pro for just $9.97 (reg. $199) through Oct. 20 at 11:59 p.m. PT. Check out the other products in the Microsoft Flash Sale.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Gay men are absolutely spoiled for choice in the world of hookup apps and sites, but that doesn't mean every option is worthy of your time. If you're looking for a fast connection, whether virtual or in person, some services clearly stand out. 

Today, we're pitting one of the internet's oldest hookup sites against one of the newest hookup sites in a head-to-head battle to see which option comes out on top. Will it be AdultFriendFinder, the 30-year-old online kink community with millions and millions of active members, or Sniffies, Grindr's less-famous relative that's only been around since 2018? 

Because both sites operate in very different ways, we're comparing them in five unique categories to help you figure out which one is worth your time and, potentially, money. 

Opens in a new window Credit: AdultFriendFinder AdultFriendFinder   Learn More Opens in a new window Credit: Sniffies Sniffies   Learn More Community size

While we may know size isn't everything, it stands to reason that having a larger pool of potential matches improves your hookup odds, and this is one area where AdultFriendFinder has a clear advantage. From their homepage, AFF boasts nearly 8 million active users across the United States, making it relatively easy to find matches in more rural communities. Sniffies, on the other hand, has just three million active monthly users, and because of its location-based matchmaking algorithm (more on that later), it's a lot more effective for people in or near metropolitan areas. 

Given the sheer size of its community and its dispersion, we give the edge to AFF. 

Winner: AdultFriendFinder

Culture

If you're looking for a hookup, it really helps if the site or app you're using isn't ambiguous about its purpose. Tinder is great and all, but every match produces the same dance: is this person looking for something serious or casual? Both AdultFriendFinder and Sniffies are unambiguously hookup apps, and one clear tell there is in their embrace of nudity.

On both AFF and Sniffies, you can and should expect to see some full-frontal nudity. In fact, it's not uncommon to only see full-frontal nudity, without an accompanying face photo. In contrast to these two raunchy sites, even Grindr, with its strict prohibition against nudity, looks tame by comparison. 

Winner: Tie

Ease of use

One area where AFF really shows its age is in its interface and site architecture. It's not that it's overly complicated, but it isn't nearly as straightforward as it could be, and certainly not as straightforward as Sniffies. 

On AFF, for example, you have to create a profile and then spend time searching through singles profiles or participating in the community section of the website (forums, stories, and live webcam shows) to find someone to match with. Sniffies dispenses with all that noise, getting straight to business: your profile is just an image on a map of your area, with other profiles of "cruisers" (people looking exclusively for a quick hookup) shown based on their proximity to you. 

If you're just looking for a quick hookup, this one is a no-brainer: Sniffies will help you meet someone new much faster. 

Winner: Sniffies

Value

The best thing to say about both sites is that they offer a good amount of features to free users. With a free AFF membership, you can participate in all community areas, including the discussion forums and live webcam feeds, but you can't message people one-on-one. On the other hand, with a free Sniffies membership, you can create a single cruising profile and are restricted to your actual location, while a premium Plus membership unlocks quality-of-life features like zero ads, unlimited profiles, and the ability to "cruise" in other places, like a city you'll be visiting in the near future. 

Because both offer generous free memberships, we're reluctant to give either site the advantage here. 

Winner: Tie

Success rate

When it comes to finding in-person connections, what we would traditionally call a "hookup," there's really no contest. Sniffies users know why they're using the site, and they love the convenience, speed, and ease of access that the location-based service enables. Does that mean you can't find a person on AdultFriendFinder? Of course not. And in fact, if you're happy to confine your pleasures to the digital world, you might want to go with AFF, especially because its user base is larger and more spread out.

Winner: Sniffies

Lastly, it's worth noting that Sniffies now has an iOS app, though it's a much tamer version of the web experience, as the Apple App Store strictly prohibits nudity. But no worries; it functions in the same way, helping you find the nearest hookup in no time at all.

Kicking off the Tesla Roadster unveiling on Thursday, CEO Elon Musk said he brought a live audience to make sure people don't think what the company will show was AI-generated.

He wasn't joking.

During the presentation, the Tesla Roadster successfully performed a number of tricks that boggle the mind and are mostly at odds with anything any regular car can even come close to doing. This includes stupidly fast acceleration, hanging upside-down on an inverted C-ramp, and, yes, flying.

For details about the launch and the car itself, go here. Now, let's just enjoy the best moments from the show. Here are all the tricks Tesla Roadster has performed (the names come from Musk, but we've taken the liberty of naming a few of them ourselves).

SEE ALSO: Tesla unveils new Roadster and yes, it can actually fly The bat

If you've just seen Tesla's tweets and not the whole event, you may have missed the best part. Prior to launching itself into the air (the car was remotely controlled; the "driver" sitting inside was a robot) on that C ramp, the Roadster slowly climbs the ramp and first stands completely still vertically, and then goes a step further and literally stands hanging upside down, with the suction fans on the bottom holding it in place and, seemingly, defying gravity. See the entire sequence in the recording of the event, starting at about 6 minutes and 11 seconds in.

The flight This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.

Moments after that, the car speeds up that same ramp, launches itself into the air whilst upside down, uses the thrusters to flip itself over, and gently sets itself to the ground. That's the moment shared by Tesla's X account, and it's worth singling out, but do watch the entire sequence as we did, again. And again. And again.

The kickflip This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.

Next, the Roadster propels itself over Tesla's entire fleet of vehicles, consisting of Tesla Model 3, Model Y, Cybercab, Cybetruck, and the massive Tesla Semi. But it doesn't just fly over the cars; it also performs a horizontal spin that Musk calls the kickflip. To us, it doesn't look like it would be a pleasant experience for a human driver inside, but it look survivable. Maybe.

The launch This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.

Besides being a flying car, the Roadster is also a super-fast sports car. It can go from 0-60mph in 0.81 seconds (yes, that zero point eighty-one, well below one second), and Musk claims it will ultimately be even faster. The limit? When it starts detaching retinas from unfortunate drivers' eyes, that's where Tesla will stop. The video is short on purpose; it lasts exactly 0.81 seconds.

The other kickflip

For its last trick, the Roadster does another kickflip, this time launching itself vertically and spinning before landing back on the ground. This doesn't make it any less cool than the first one. It starts at about 21:39 into the unveiling video.

The photos

Tesla's official X account also shared a cool gallery of pro-grade photos taken during the event. Check them out below.

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For more Tesla Roadster coverage, go here.

The best early Black Friday outdoor deals: Best portable power station deal Anker Solix C1000 $499.99 (save $100) Get Deal Best tent deal Kelty Timeout 6 Tent $134.73 (save $46.22) Get Deal Best cooler deal Yeti Roadie 48 Wheeled Cooler $340 (save $85) Get Deal

Whether you like to get outdoors yourself or your favorite people go camping often, shopping Black Friday deals for outdoor gear is always a great move. Just like pumpkin spice seeping further into sweaty summer months, Black Friday deals are landing earlier than ever this year.

That's good news for those of you who've realized the camping gear you used all summer needs replacing. It's also a great time to snag a bigger cooler for all the dishes you'll need to transport to holiday meals. Power stations are also on sale and work great for both camping and winter power outages.

Whatever you need, outdoor deals are already rolling in well ahead of Black Friday. Peep some of our favorite options below, and check back often as we keep this page updated ahead of the big holiday shopping event.

Best portable power station deal Opens in a new window Credit: Anker Solix Anker Solix C1000 $499.99 at Amazon
$599.99 Save $100   Get Deal at Amazon Why we like it

One of my favorite portable power stations is on sale well ahead of Black Friday, and it's a great model for taking outdoors. The Anker Solix C1000 comes with plenty of ports for recharging phones, tablets, earbuds, and powering up small appliances like the kettle or a fan.

Plus, the Anker Solix C1000's built-in lightbar is perfect for nights at the campground, keeping things well illuminated.

More portable power deals

• DJI Power 1000 V2 — $399.98 $449.99 (save $50.01)

• Bluetti Elite 100 V2 — $499 $899 (save $400)

• Jackery Explorer 1000 v2 — $499 $559 (save $60)

Best tent deal Opens in a new window Credit: Kelty Kelty Timeout 6 Tent $134.73 at REI
$180.95 Save $46.22   Get Deal at REI Why we like it

With space to sleep six people, the Kelty Timeout tent uses sturdy, durable fiberglass poles. It's designed to come with an easy, intuitive setup that'll get the trip off on the right foot. The large D-door makes it easier to get in and out. The included duffle bag makes for simple transportation and storage.

More tent deals

• Coleman Skydome Camping Tent (6 person) — $129.99 $189.99 (save $60)

• REI Flash Air 2 Tent — $299.93 $429 (save $129.01)

• Snow Peak Amenity Dome 3 Tent — $575.95 $639.95 (save $64)

• White Duck Regatta Canvas Bell Tent Yurt — $820 $999 (save $179)

Best cooler deal Opens in a new window Credit: Yeti Yeti Roadie 48 Wheeled Cooler $340 at Amazon
$425 Save $85   Get Deal at Amazon Why we like it

Every good outdoor adventure needs cool treats and beverages. The Yeti Roadie Wheeled Cooler has non-slip feet, durable wheels, and a periscope handle for ultimate adventures. The Roadie 48 can fit 76 12-ounce cans without ice or up to 54 pounds of ice. The included dry goods basket also helps keep snacks and sandwiches dry and cool. Plus, it comes with Yeti's five-year warranty.

More cooler deals

• Dometic Unrestricted 11L Insulated Tote Cooler — $121.94 $140 (save $18.06)

• Stanley Outdoor Hard Cooler (50 quart) — $169.90 $179 (save $9.10)

• Coleman Snap 'N Go Collapsible Hard Cooler (55 quart) — $179.99 $239.99 (save $50)

• Igloo Trailmate Journey Wheeled Cooler (70 quart) — $229.98 $289.99 (save $60.01)

• Dometic CFX Electric Cooler — $621.15 $660 (save $38.85)

More outdoor deals ahead of Black Friday

• Sea to Summit Ultra-Sil Dry Bag (5 liters) — $14.83 $24.95 (save $10.12)

• Rumpl Original Puffy Blanket — $69.93 $99.95 (save $30.02)

• Expeed DeepSleep 30F Sleeping Bag — $77.83 $129.95 (save $52.12)

• Gregory Terros 28 Backpack — $82.46 $109.95 (save $27.49)

The difference between Prime Day and Black Friday — their roots, anyway — probably isn't a mystery to anyone who has dabbled in online shopping before.

Most of us know that Black Friday is the big sale frenzy that happens around Thanksgiving as a precursor to the holidays, and that almost every store you can think of participates. Alternatively, the name "Prime Day" suggests that the event is indeed an Amazon-specific event made up by Amazon for members of its Prime subscription service.

The lines between these two shopping holidays also aren't quite as blurred as they are between Black Friday and Cyber Monday, which have become pretty indistinguishable from each other due to 1. being just a few days apart on the calendar, and 2. Black Friday relying just as heavily on online shopping as Cyber Monday does.

But back to the question at hand. Most people aren't concerned with the semantics of these shopping holidays. The people just want to know: Does Prime Day or Black Friday have better deals? Let's dig in.

Does Amazon have better deals on Prime Day or Black Friday?

Amazon hypes Prime Day up so much that you can't help but assume those few days in the summer are its Olympics. The retail giant also hosts a 48-hour fall counterpart called "Prime Big Deal Days" in October, which really makes you wonder: It can't possibly have the bandwidth to turn around and do the same damn thing a month later for Black Friday, right?

Jeff Bezos is heard cackling in the distance.

Amazon's price history shows that, in many cases, it goes just as hard for Black Friday as it does for Prime Day. It's not uncommon to plug the Amazon URL for any popular item into the price-tracking site CamelCamelCamel and see a handful of very consistent dips to that item's all-time low pricing — those few instances being in June or July (Prime Day) and the end of November (Black Friday), plus a common third dip in October (Prime Big Deal Days).

SEE ALSO: Walmart vs. Amazon: Who actually has the best deals?

One thing to note: Amazon's Black Friday deals tend to be more accessible than its Prime Day deals, since you don't have to be a paying Prime member to unlock them. (It's the same story for Walmart's Prime Day-esque sale and Black Friday sales, though being a paid Walmart+ member still has its perks, like getting early access to deals.)

In terms of what's on sale, there's a ton of overlap between Prime Day (including Prime Big Deal Days) and Black Friday deals. Robot vacuums, headphones, Apple devices, and kitchen gadgets are likely to get similar treatment at both events, so if you find a stellar deal on one of those items, there's probably no need to hold out until the other event to see if the deal is better then.

Categories that are better to shop on Black Friday

A few categories do play favorites: TVs, laptops, toys, and streaming services.

While you no longer need to wait in line and get in fist fights at 4 a.m. to score doorbuster TV deals like back in the day, the TV discounts still remain epic on Black Friday. Amazon does offer some decent TV deals on Prime Day, particularly on Fire TVs, but Black Friday is the absolute best time to buy a TV.

Best Buy has a much wider selection on its (virtual) shelves at any given time, offering far more premium big-screen options than Amazon. Though Best Buy does hold competing sales during Prime Day, it tends to put on the bigger show during Black Friday. Not to mention, Amazon will often try to price-match Best Buy on the inventory it has.

We see better laptop deals on Black Friday for the same reason. Amazon's selection just isn't as widespread as its competitors, who typically reserve their best offers for the year-end holiday shopping season. It's not just because they know more shoppers are primed to shop at that point: According to Mashable's Haley Henschel, it's also because "manufacturers are trying to offload their inventories ahead of next-gen refreshes" at the start of the following year.

In true nostalgic holiday form, toy deals are much more dramatic during the Black Friday shopping season. Santa isn't made of money, after all. If you're looking to grab a Lego set, board game, Tonies, or other hot-ticket item, you'll likely find a better price on Black Friday. But you'll want to grab these deals quickly, as they often sell out.

Finally, if you're looking to sign up for a streaming service for less (aren't we all?), many of the big ones, like Hulu, Paramount+, and HBO Max, often have Black Friday sales. While many streamers have started to toss their hats in the ring on Prime Day in recent years (typically in the form of Prime Video add-ons), these deals still don't compare to the widespread, long-term discounts we see on streamers during Black Friday. In 2025, for instance, we saw HBO Max on sale for $2.99 per month for 12 months, and the Disney+ and Hulu bundle dropped to $4.99 per month for 12 months.

Swedish television channel TV4 has refuted reports that an AI agent deleted an entire season of a television show mere weeks before it was scheduled to air. Instead, the problem was allegedly caused by human error.

SEE ALSO: JPMorgan Chase blocks outside AI agents, limiting what Muse can do for users

As initially reported by Swedish newspaper Aftonbladet (translated via Google Translate), sources stated that production company Mastiff gave an AI agent access to its servers, enabling it to autonomously delete the entire edited second season of reality show The Challenge Sverige. Based on the U.S. show The Challenge, the Swedish reality series has contestants compete in various challenges in hopes of winning one million kr (around $100,600).

Sources speaking to Aftonbladet stated that the deleted files are unrecoverable, meaning that the season must now be reedited —  a task which reportedly originally took an entire year the first time around. A spokesperson for The Challenge confirmed to Aftonbladet that the files had disappeared, stating that the show's premiere has been delayed from Nov. 22 to some time next year due to the need to reedit.

However, said spokesperson did not confirm AI involvement, saying only that there was a technical breakdown. TV4's program director Mia Lindqvist subsequently denied that AI was responsible for the mishap, telling Aftonbladet in a later statement that the primary problem was that a backup had failed. An investigation by TV4 had found that The Challenge's edited second season had been deleted due to human error, with no AI involved.

Lindqvist did state that AI is now used by the majority of production companies. However, in this case, it apparently was not to blame for the deleted episodes.

Tesla's Roadster may be a few years late, but at least it launched with a bang.

The new Roadster, unveiled late on Thursday in McGregor, Texas, is an electric supercar boasting numbers that seem impossible.

Far more fascinating than the numbers was a demo in which the car was driven upside down on a ramp and then, using boosters on the bottom and the sides, flips itself over mid-air and gently lowers itself to the ground.

"You're gonna see what happens when you have a collaboration between the world's best car company, and the world's best rocket company," said Tesla CEO Elon Musk during the event introduction. The car, as it was explained, has suction fans on the bottom allowing it to stick itself to a surface with an incredible amount of force, so it can actually remain upside down for a while. This is good for stunts, but it will also be good for speedy driving, as the extra downforce makes the car extra nimble in turns. The Roadster also has a retractable rear wing that can dynamically adjust downforce, further helping with the car's behaviour at high speeds.

Tesla Roadster goes from 0 to 60 mph in well under one second. Credit: Tesla

As for the rocketry that propels the Roadster upwards, that's "borrowed" from SpaceX, and it consists of ten air nozzles that use compressed air from a special tank to push the car up or sideways. The important part: No special fuel is needed; it's all just air, and the tank can be refueled when needed.

In another demo, the Roadster performs a "kickflip" as it lifts itself into the air and does a roll over Tesla's entire fleet of cars, including the Tesla Semi.

This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.

But is it quick, you may ask? Yes, it is. Very quick, in fact; in a live demo happening behind Musk's back on the pad, the car went from 0-60mph in an apparent 0.81 seconds, which would make it a lot faster than anything else out there. For comparison, Rimac Nevera R, the quickest production car out there, does a 0-60mph in 1.66 seconds; a Formula 1 car can do it in 1.6 seconds.

It gets better (crazier?). Musk says the production car will actually be quicker. The limit, apparently, isn't how fast it can go; according to Musk, it's "don't detach the retina" of the human behind the wheel.

This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.

Some of the specs are murky. According to Tesla VP of Vehicle Engineering Lars Moravy, the Roadster has a top speed of 230 mph, but "it can go a lot faster than that." Musk took over at that point saying that it'll get to halfway the speed of sound or Mach 0.5, which is approximately 370mph. The massive discrepancy is unclear, but everything about this car was unclear for so long, nothing can surprise us at this point.

The retracable rear wing actively maintains the optimal amount of downforce. Credit: Tesla

Inside, the Tesla Roadster is a two-seater with sporty seats, a yoke wheel and a large, centrally placed infotainment display. Specifics about the display were left out; as for the materials used, the seats and interior detailing is all microsuede. The car is apparently only available in white, with the "Iconic Ultrawhite" interior.

Tesla Roadster's exterior is pretty clean, as is expected from the company. Credit: Tesla

Many questions remain unanswered, including battery size and life and the powertrain (beyond the rocketry bit). As for the flying bit, we've seen it go up in the air and perform stunts, but it's unclear just for how long and how far it can fly. And don't even get us started on whether any of this flying business will be road-legal anytime soon.

Of course, there's a pretty big catch to all this. The car you can reserve now is the Performance variant, which is a two-seater with the active rear wing and a multi-mode suction system mentioned above. Just the reservation will cost you $5,000 today and an additional $45,000 due within 10 days.

The Thrust variant has all of the above plus the acceleration thrusters. It's available in a limited fashion (one order per customer) and subject to "each region’s legal requirements and applicable laws." To get that one, you'll have to dish out $5,000 now and an additional $245,000 within 10 days.

Finally, the one that can actually fly is called the Rocket variant. It's a one seater with everything that the Performance and Thrust versions have, "plus a full flight system." But that one's "invite only," and details on availability aren't explained on the company's website.

Those numbers above, however, are just the cost of the reservation. Neither Tesla nor Musk ever shared the final price of any of the variants.

As for when the Roadster can actually get to customers, Musk said it "actually" enters production in 2028 (no word on when in 2028, exactly). It's already nine years too late (it was originally announced in November 2017), and we wouldn't be too surprised if it reached customers in 2029 or later.

TL;DR: Get 20TB of lifetime Scramble Cloud storage for just $349.95 (reg. $1,440), with end-to-end encryption, private sharing, WebDAV, CLI access, and no recurring subscription fees.

Opens in a new window Credit: Scramble Cloud Scramble Cloud Storage Lifetime Subscription (20TB) $349.95
$1,440 Save $1,090.05   Get Deal

Some people immediately delete old files. Others keep every photo, video, project, and backup because, well, you never know when you’ll need them. Scramble Cloud offers 20TB of lifetime cloud storage for $349.95 (reg. $1,440), giving serious file collectors plenty of space without another recurring storage subscription.

And this isn’t just about capacity. Scramble Cloud is built in Germany with privacy at its core, using end-to-end encryption to protect files before they leave your device.

Its zero-knowledge architecture means your stored data isn’t accessible to the provider, while two-factor authentication adds another layer of account protection.

Managing your files is straightforward. You can organize documents into folders, drag and drop uploads, preview supported files, and access your storage through a web browser.

For more advanced workflows, Scramble supports WebDAV, allowing you to mount cloud storage as a network drive. There’s also a command-line interface for managing files.

Sharing is equally flexible. Create private links, collaborate through Team Link, or organize encrypted groups with friends, family, and colleagues. You can even stream MP4 videos directly in your browser.

The plan includes unlimited file sharing and bandwidth, plus ongoing platform updates.

There are two important limitations to consider: Individual files cannot exceed 5GB, and uploads are capped at 70GB per day. That makes this a better fit for collections of smaller files than enormous individual video projects.

With 20TB of capacity, encrypted storage, and access across supported devices, Scramble offers a practical option for anyone planning to keep a substantial digital archive.

Get Scramble Cloud’s 20TB Lifetime Subscription for $349.95 (reg. $1,440) while you still can.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Dark Matter Season 2 is refusing to neglect the multiple versions of its characters.

We already had a very strong standalone episode that tracked the lives of several of the Jasons (Joel Edgerton) who leave their family behind at the end of Season 1, and episode 8 has just delivered more of the same.

This time, we have the backstory to new character Laurel (Margo Martindale), who we met back in episode 7, and an answer to the question of who Charlie saw come through the doorway at the episode's end.

SEE ALSO: The 41 best Apple TV shows, ranked What happens in Dark Matter Season 2, episode 8?

Episode 8 goes back in time, tracking the history of Laurel and her relationship to the box, starting with her saving the life of a version of Amanda (Alice Braga) after she's carried in by another Jason (Edgerton) with a tree branch sticking out of her chest. Laurel, who is something of a paranoid recluse due to the political climate in her world, nurses Amanda back to health, then sends Jason and Amanda on their way. But she's not done helping people.

Soon, she's visited by a version of Leighton (Dayo Okeniyi), who tells her he'd like to make her home a kind of way-station for travellers in need. Blair (Amanda Brugel) is next to visit, and then ultimately Amanda and Jason make another stop when they're running low on vials. First, Amanda decides to stay put in Laurel's world, and then Jason — having given up hope of finding his original family — decides to join her. Like the other Jason in episode 5, he finds his own version of happiness.

Who does Charlie see at Laurel's house?

All of which brings us up to the present day, and Charlie's visit. Episode 7 left us on something of a cliffhanger, with Charlie seeing someone in Laurel's house that made him stop in his tracks.

At the time, based on his reaction, we thought this was likely someone he knew well — and sure enough, it turns out to be the version of his dad that's now living with Amanda in Laurel's world.

In a bittersweet moment the two share a heart-to-heart, with Jason learning what became of his old family before offering his son some advice for his own future.

"Life, it'll take you this way and that way. It'll toss you round. It'll knock your teeth in," says Jason. "But if you choose the genuine real life that you want, you won't need to look back."

Dark Matter Season 2 is streaming on Apple TV, with new episodes dropping every Friday.

Today's Connections: Sports Edition will be easier for those who've been to an NFL game.

As we've shared in previous hints stories, this is a version of the popular New York Times word game that seeks to test the knowledge of sports fans.

Like the original Connections, the game is all about finding the "common threads between words." And just like Wordle, Connections resets after midnight, and each new set of words gets trickier and trickier — so we've served up some hints and tips to get you over the hurdle.

If you just want to be told today's puzzle, you can jump to the end of this article for the latest Connections solution. But if you'd rather solve it yourself, keep reading for some clues, tips, and strategies to assist you.

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable What is Connections: Sports Edition?

The NYT's latest daily word game has launched in association with The Athletic, the New York Times property that provides the publication's sports coverage. The sports Connections can be played on both web browsers and mobile devices and require players to group four words that share something in common.

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Each puzzle features 16 words, and each grouping of words is split into four categories. These sets could comprise anything from book titles, software, country names, etc. Even though multiple words will seem like they fit together, there's only one correct answer.

If a player gets all four words in a set correct, those words are removed from the board. Guess wrong and it counts as a mistake — players get up to four mistakes before the game ends.

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Players can also rearrange and shuffle the board to make spotting connections easier. Additionally, each group is color-coded with yellow being the easiest, followed by green, blue, and purple. Like Wordle, you can share the results with your friends on social media.

SEE ALSO: Wordle-obsessed? These are the best word games to play IRL. Here's a hint for today's Connections: Sports Edition categories

Want a hint about the categories without being told the categories? Then give these a try:

• Yellow: Rule enforcement

• Green: Announcer sounds

• Blue: NFL fields

• Purple: Cross

Here are today's Connections: Sports Edition categories

Need a little extra help? Today's connections fall into the following categories:

• Yellow: Soccer Referee Decisions After a Foul

• Green: Onomatopoeias

• Blue: First Words in NFL Stadium Names

• Purple: Can Be Preceded by "Cross"

Looking for Wordle today? Here's the answer to today's Wordle.

Ready for the answers? This is your last chance to turn back and solve today's puzzle before we reveal the solutions.

Drumroll, please!

The solution to today's Connections: Sports Edition #753 is...

What is the answer to Connections: Sports Edition today?

• Soccer Referee Decisions After a Foul: ADVANTAGE, CARD, FREE KICK, PENALTY

• Onomatopoeias: BLOOP, CLANK, DOINK, SWISH

• First Words in NFL Stadium Names: BANK, LINCOLN, LUCAS, RAYMOND

• Can Be Preceded by "Cross": BAR, CHECKING, COUNTRY, OVER

Don't feel down if you didn't manage to guess it this time. There will be new sports Connections for you to stretch your brain with tomorrow, and we'll be back again to guide you with more helpful hints.

Are you also playing NYT Strands? See hints and answers for today's Strands.

If you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.

Not the day you're after? Here's the solution to yesterday's Connections.

Welcome to your guide to Pips, the latest game in the New York Times catalog.

Released in August 2025, Pips puts a unique spin on dominoes, creating a fun single-player experience that could become your next daily gaming habit.

Currently, if you're stuck, the game only offers to reveal the entire puzzle, forcing you to move on to the next difficulty level and start over. However, we have you covered! Below are piecemeal answers that will serve as hints so that you can find your way through each difficulty level.

How to play Pips

If you've ever played dominoes, you'll have a passing familiarity with how Pips is played. As we've shared in our previous hints stories for Pips, the tiles, like dominoes, are placed vertically or horizontally and connect with each other. The main difference between a traditional game of dominoes and Pips is the color-coded conditions you have to address. The touching tiles don't necessarily have to match.

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for October 15, 2026

The conditions you have to meet are specific to the color-coded spaces. For example, if it provides a single number, every side of a tile in that space must add up to the number provided. It is possible — and common — for only half a tile to be within a color-coded space.

Here are common examples you'll run into across the difficulty levels:

• Number: All the pips in this space must add up to the number.

• Equal: Every domino half in this space must be the same number of pips.

• Not Equal: Every domino half in this space must have a completely different number of pips.

• Less than: Every domino half in this space must add up to less than the number.

• Greater than: Every domino half in this space must add up to more than the number.

If an area does not have any color coding, it means there are no conditions on the portions of dominoes within those spaces.

SEE ALSO: NYT Strands hints, answers for October 16, 2026 Easy difficulty hints, answers for October 16 Pips

Number (5): Everything in this space must add up to 5. The answer is 1-2, placed vertically; 3-5, placed vertically.

Equal (5): Everything in this space must be equal to 5. The answer is 3-5, placed vertically; 5-4, placed vertically.

Equal (4): Everything in this light blue space must be equal to 4. The answer is 5-4, placed vertically; 4-4, placed vertically; 4-6, placed horizontally.

Greater Than (1): Everything in this space must be greater than 1. The answer is 4-6, placed horizontally.

Medium difficulty hints, answers for October 16 Pips

Less Than (1): Everything in this space must be less than 1. The answer is 0-1, placed vertically.

Number (3): Everything in this space must add up to 3. The answer is 4-2, placed horizontally; 0-1, placed vertically.

Greater Than (2): Everything in this space must be greater than 2. The answer is 4-5, placed vertically.

Greater Than (9): Everything in this space must be greater than 9. The answer is 1-5, placed horizontally; 5-5, placed horizontally.

Greater Than (9): Everything in this space must be greater than 9. The answer is 5-5, placed horizontally; 4-5, placed vertically.

Number (1): Everything in this space must add up to 1. The answer is 1-5, placed horizontally; 0-4, placed horizontally.

Greater Than (3): Everything in this space must be greater than 3. The answer is 0-4, placed horizontally.

Less Than (1): Everything in this space must be less than 1. The answer is 3-0, placed horizontally.

Hard difficulty hints, answers for October 16 Pips

Number (4): Everything in this space must add up to 4. The answer is 2-4, placed horizontally.

Number (1): Everything in this space must add up to 1. The answer is 1-5, placed vertically.

Number (6): Everything in this space must add up to 6. The answer is 6-2, placed vertically.

Number (5): Everything in this space must add up to 5. The answer is 1-5, placed vertically.

Number (1): Everything in this space must add up to 1. The answer is 1-4, placed horizontally.

Not Equal: Everything in this space must be different. The answer is 6-2, placed vertically; 1-4, placed horizontally.

Number (0): Everything in this space must add up to 0. The answer is 1-0, placed vertically.

Number (2): Everything in this space must add up to 2. The answer is 1-2, placed vertically.

Equal (0): Everything in this space must be equal to 0. The answer is 0-0, placed vertically; 0-3, placed vertically.

Number (2): Everything in this space must add up to 2. The answer is 1-1, placed vertically.

Greater Than (9): Everything in this space must be greater than 9. The answer is 0-3, placed vertically; 4-3, placed vertically.

Greater Than (8): Everything in this space must be greater than 8. The answer is 3-2, placed vertically; 4-5, placed vertically.

Equal (5): Everything in this space must be equal to 5. The answer is 3-5, placed vertically; 4-5, placed vertically; 5-5, placed vertically.

If you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.

If you like playing daily word games like Wordle, then Hurdle is a great game to add to your routine.

There are five rounds to the game. The first round sees you trying to guess the word, with correct, misplaced, and incorrect letters shown in each guess. If you guess the correct answer, it'll take you to the next hurdle, providing the answer to the last hurdle as your first guess. This can give you several clues or none, depending on the words. For the final hurdle, every correct answer from previous hurdles is shown, with correct and misplaced letters clearly shown.

An important note is that the number of times a letter is highlighted from previous guesses does necessarily indicate the number of times that letter appears in the final hurdle.

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If you find yourself stuck at any step of today's Hurdle, don't worry! We have you covered.

SEE ALSO: Hurdle: Everything you need to know to find the answers Hurdle Word 1 hint

Vital organ.

Hurdle Word 1 answer

HEART

Hurdle Word 2 hint

Breezy.

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for October 16, 2026 Hurdle Word 2 Answer

WINDY

Hurdle Word 3 hint

Verdict decider.

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for October 16, 2026 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Meanings for each word for Oct. 16, 2026 Hurdle Word 3 answer

JUROR

Hurdle Word 4 hint

Elevated toilet.

Hurdle Word 4 answer

BIDET

Final Hurdle hint

A sheep's call.

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Games available on Mashable Hurdle Word 5 answer

BLEAT

If you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.

Looking for spoiler-free NYT Connections hints or just wondering why Connections is trending today? We've got what you need to understand the clues for today's puzzle without spoiling any of the answers.

Of course, Mashable has also provided daily hints and answers for Connections, Wordle, and Strands for years, so we can help you if that's also what you need.

While we are focused more on meanings than hints in this story, sometimes learning that many of the words have completely unrelated meanings is a clue in and of itself. Connections frequently includes clues that involve words within words and other visual clues.

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for October 16, 2026 Bulgari meaning

A luxurious jewelry retailer.

Cyrus meaning

An Old Persian name meaning sun or throne.

Hungry meaning

Feeling a natural urge or an uncomfortable feeling in the stomach from lack of food.

Span meaning

The physical distance between two points, supports or limits.

Chip meaning

A tiny fragment or flake broken off from a larger object like glass, wood or stone

Mark meaning

A stain, scratch, scar or smudge on a surface.

Nick meaning

A small cut, notch or groove on a surface.

Scratch meaning

To cut, scrape or mark a surface or skin lightly with something sharp, jagged or pointed.

Chicken meaning

A feathered bird, often kept on farms for eggs and meat.

Coolidge meaning

The 30th president of the United States.

Hippo meaning

A large, semi-aquatic mammal native to sub-Saharan Africa.

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Smarties meaning

Compressed sugar tablet rolls, typically in shades of pink.

Chad meaning

A landlocked country in central Africa.

Hungary meaning

A landlocked country in central Europe, with the capital city of Budapest.

Laos meaning

The only landlocked country in mainland Southeast Asia.

Paraguay meaning

A landlocked South American country.

Have you learned the meanings and still want the things? Check out the hints and answers for today's NYT Connections puzzle.

Are you also playing NYT Strands? Get all the Strands hints you need for today's puzzle.

Meet The Mashable 101: Our list of the content creators shaping the internet today

If you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.

Not the day you're after? Here's the solution to yesterday's Connections.

The NYT Connections puzzle today is not too difficult if you're well-traveled.

Connections is the one of the most popular New York Times word games that's captured the public's attention. The game is all about finding the "common threads between words." And just like Wordle, Connections resets after midnight and each new set of words gets trickier and trickier—so we've served up some hints and tips to get you over the hurdle.

If you just want to be told today's puzzle, you can jump to the end of this article for today's Connections solution. But if you'd rather solve it yourself, keep reading for some clues, tips, and strategies to assist you.

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable What is Connections?

The NYT's latest daily word game has become a social media hit. The Times credits associate puzzle editor Wyna Liu with helping to create the new word game and bringing it to the publications' Games section. Connections can be played on both web browsers and mobile devices and require players to group four words that share something in common.

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Each puzzle features 16 words and each grouping of words is split into four categories. These sets could comprise of anything from book titles, software, country names, etc. Even though multiple words will seem like they fit together, there's only one correct answer.

If a player gets all four words in a set correct, those words are removed from the board. Guess wrong and it counts as a mistake—players get up to four mistakes until the game ends.

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Players can also rearrange and shuffle the board to make spotting connections easier. Additionally, each group is color-coded with yellow being the easiest, followed by green, blue, and purple. Like Wordle, you can share the results with your friends on social media.

SEE ALSO: NYT Pips hints, answers for October 16, 2026 Here's a hint for today's Connections categories

Want a hint about the categories without being told the categories? Then give these a try:

• Yellow: Minor flaws

• Green: Inland

• Blue: Across the Atlantic

• Purple: Fashionable

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Here are today's Connections categories

Need a little extra help? Today's connections fall into the following categories:

• Yellow: Surface imperfections

• Green: Landlocked countries

• Blue: European countries minus a letter

• Purple: Starting with words for "Stylish"

Ready for the answers? This is your last chance to turn back and solve today's puzzle before we reveal the solutions.

Drumroll, please!

The solution to today's Connections #1223 is...

What is the answer to Connections today

• Surface imperfections: CHIP, MARK, NICK, SCRATCH

• Landlocked countries: CHAD, HUNGARY, LAOS, PARAGUAY

• European countries minus a letter: BULGARI, CYRUS, HUNGRY, SPAN

• Starting with words for "Stylish": CHICKEN, COOLIDGE, HIPPO, SMARTIES

Looking for Wordle today? Here's the answer to today's Wordle.

Are you also playing NYT Strands? Get all the Strands hints you need for today's puzzle.

Meet The Mashable 101: Our list of the content creators shaping the internet today

If you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.

Not the day you're after? Here's the solution to yesterday's Connections.

Today's NYT Strands hints will be easy if you come in a small package.

Strands, the New York Times' elevated word-search game, requires the player to perform a twist on the classic word search. Words can be made from linked letters — up, down, left, right, or diagonal, but words can also change direction, resulting in quirky shapes and patterns. Every single letter in the grid will be part of an answer. There's always a theme linking every solution, along with the "spangram," a special, word or phrase that sums up that day's theme, and spans the entire grid horizontally or vertically.

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable

By providing an opaque hint and not providing the word list, Strands creates a brain-teasing game that takes a little longer to play than its other games, like Wordle and Connections.

If you're feeling stuck or just don't have 10 or more minutes to figure out today's puzzle, we've got all the NYT Strands hints for today's puzzle you need to progress at your preferred pace.

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for October 16, 2026 NYT Strands hint for today’s theme: Just a little bit

The words are related to size.

Today’s NYT Strands theme plainly explained

These words describe exactly as the hint implies: Really tiny things.

NYT Strands spangram hint: Is it vertical or horizontal?

Today's NYT Strands spangram is horizontal.

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NYT Strands spangram answer today

Today's spangram is Lighthouse.

NYT Strands word list for October 16

• Pinpoint

• Molecule

• Small World

• Atom

• Follicle

• Mite

• Amoeba

Meet The Mashable 101: Our list of the content creators shaping the internet today

Looking for other daily online games? Mashable's Games page has more hints, and if you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now!

Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.

Not the day you're after? Here's the solution to yesterday's Strands.

Today's Wordle answer should be easy to solve if you're always up to no good.

If you just want to be told today's word, you can jump to the bottom of this article for today's Wordle solution revealed. But if you'd rather solve it yourself, keep reading for some clues, tips, and strategies to assist you.

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for October 16, 2026 Where did Wordle come from?

Originally created by engineer Josh Wardle as a gift for his partner, Wordle rapidly spread to become an international phenomenon, with thousands of people around the globe playing every day. Alternate Wordle versions created by fans also sprang up, including battle royale Squabble, music identification game Heardle, and variations like Dordle and Quordle that make you guess multiple words at once. 

Wordle eventually became so popular that it was purchased by the New York Times, and TikTok creators even livestream themselves playing.

What's the best Wordle starting word?

The best Wordle starting word is the one that speaks to you. But if you prefer to be strategic in your approach, we have a few ideas to help you pick a word that might help you find the solution faster. One tip is to select a word that includes at least two different vowels, plus some common consonants like S, T, R, or N.

What happened to the Wordle archive?

The entire archive of past Wordle puzzles was originally available for anyone to enjoy whenever they felt like it, but it was later taken down, with the website's creator stating it was done at the request of the New York Times. However, the New York Times then rolled out its own Wordle Archive, available only to NYT Games subscribers.

Is Wordle getting harder?

It might feel like Wordle is getting harder, but it actually isn't any more difficult than when it first began. You can turn on Wordle's Hard Mode if you're after more of a challenge, though.

Here's a subtle hint for today's Wordle answer:

Suspicious.

Does today's Wordle answer have a double letter?

There are no recurring letters.

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Today's Wordle is a 5-letter word that starts with...

Today's Wordle starts with the letter S.

The Wordle answer today is...

Get your last guesses in now, because it's your final chance to solve today's Wordle before we reveal the solution.

Drumroll please!

The solution to today's Wordle is...

SHADY

Don't feel down if you didn't manage to guess it this time. There will be a new Wordle for you to stretch your brain with tomorrow, and we'll be back again to guide you with more helpful hints.

Are you also playing NYT Strands? See hints and answers for today's Strands.

Reporting by Chance Townsend, Caitlin Welsh, Sam Haysom, Amanda Yeo, Shannon Connellan, Cecily Mauran, Mike Pearl, and Adam Rosenberg contributed to this article.

Meet The Mashable 101: Our list of the content creators shaping the internet today

If you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.

Not the day you're after? Here's the solution to yesterday's Wordle.

Yet another major privacy issue has hit a Meta-owned company.

This time it's a Meta product that certainly could not afford to have any privacy issues: Meta Ray-Ban smart glasses.

According to numerous reports from users, Meta's smart glasses have been making audio recordings of their conversations without the user's permission. 

Meta has since confirmed the issue and have said it's been fixed.

"This issue has been resolved," a Meta spokesperson said in a statement to Android Authority. "People can manage, review and delete voice logs of their interactions with Meta AI via settings at any time."

In a post on Reddit earlier this week, one user explained that Meta has been recording and making transcripts of their conversations without activating the smart glasses to do so via the "Hey Meta" prompt. The setting to activate recording without that prompt was also turned off when Meta's smart glasses recorded the conversations. The user said that they noticed the white light on the smart glasses that indicate activation turn on during their conversations.

Even worse, this wasn't an isolated glitch on a single device. The user shared that they observed the issue occur on three different pairs of Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses, which included both second- and third-generation models.

Users in the comments also chimed in sharing their own similar experiences. 

Earlier this year, an investigation uncovered that videos recorded by Meta smart glasses were being sent to offshore Meta workers in Kenya for data labeling used to train AI models. These videos included disturbing clips and intimate moments including bathroom footage of users who likely did not realize that their recordings were being viewed by third-parties.

While Meta says it has since fixed the problem, the company did not share what caused the issue.

Smart glasses are already criticized for their ability to covertly record people. Devices recording without even the product owner's knowledge is are certainly not ideal.

American writer/director Rian Johnson awed audiences and critics alike in 2019 with Knives Out. The hilarious murder mystery not only laid out a curious case in the style of Agatha Christie's works, but also stacked it with stars who brought bite to the in-fighting Thrombey family. Whether you were swooning over Chris Evans in that chic sweater, cackling over Toni Collette's flighty socialite, or rooting for Ana de Armas' put-upon nurse to survive her brush with this toxic clan, Johnson had you hooked.

By the film's end, audiences were demanding more adventures with Southern gentleman detective Benoit Blanc (Daniel Craig), and Johnson would oblige with 2022's Glass Onion and 2025's Wake Up, Dead Man. But perhaps you want more movies in the vein of the Knives Out universe?

Here are Mashable's picks for the best movies like Knives Out, and where you can stream them.

Clue

Written and directed by Jonathan Lynn, this clever comedy was a box-office bomb that confounded critics upon its initial release in 1985. But over the years of TV broadcasts, Clue became a cult classic, revered for its madcap humor, beguiling stars, and a TV edit that added more fun with alternative endings, playing one after another.

Based on the board game of the same name, Clue is set in a secluded mansion, where six strangers convene to meet a blackmailer known as Mr. Boddy. When he turns up dead, it's up to Miss Scarlet, Mr. Green, Colonel Mustard, Mrs. White, Professor Plum, Mrs. Peacock, and a butler called Wadsworth to discover the murderer before they kill again. Along the way, there'll be plenty of macabre humor, wordplay, double entendres, and pratfalls, along with some blink-and-you'll-miss-it cameos. Like Knives Out, Clue is a funny, sexy, and satisfying murder mystery that's a joy to rewatch over and over.

Starring: Eileen Brennan, Tim Curry, Madeline Kahn, Christopher Lloyd, Michael McKean, Martin Mull, and Lesley Ann Warren

How to watch: Clue is now streaming on Pluto TV.

The Thursday Murder Club

Adapted from the first novel in Richard Osman's book series of the same name, this cozy crime thriller begins in a charming retirement village of Cooper's Chase in rural England. But don't underestimate its pensioners. When chatting over tea, it's not the news or grandchildren they're discussing, but unsolved homicide cases.

Named for their curious weekly activity group, the Thursday Murder Club is made up of former firebrand union leader Ron Ritchie, semi-retired psychiatrist Professor Ibrahim Arif, retired trauma nurse Joyce Meadowcroft, and former MI6 agent Elizabeth Best. Together, they are a force that rivals even the local police. So, when a murder happens on their grounds, they're on top of it with a fearsome intellect and hilarious wit. Director Chris Columbus' star-studded cast brings Osman's novel to such vivid life, you might be tempted to dive into pages of his book series too. (Do it!)

Starring: Helen Mirren, Pierce Brosnan, Ben Kingsley, Celia Imrie, David Tennant, Jonathan Pryce, Naomi Ackie, Daniel Mays, Henry Lloyd-Hughes, Richard E. Grant, Tom Ellis, Geoff Bell, Paul Freeman, and Ingrid Oliver

How to watch: The Thursday Murder Club is now streaming on Netflix.

The Sheep Detectives

The Last of Us showrunner Craig Mazin channeled his softer side with this cozy crime movie based on Leonie Swann's novel Three Bags Full. As you might gather from the title, The Sheep Detectives centers on a flock of sheep who set out to discover who murdered their beloved shepherd (Hugh Jackman).

While the premise is ridiculous, director Kyle Balda and his cast plumb surprising emotional depths here. Sure, on the surface there's a lot of silliness about all the ways that sheep — even those nurtured with nightly readings from mystery novels — misunderstand the ways of mankind. But beneath the charming surface of this rural English village, they discover not only a dark underbelly, but also a deep grief they must confront to move through. The result is a movie that presents a satisfying puzzle in an unexpected form that's winsome and a tad heartbreaking.

Starring: Hugh Jackman, Nicholas Braun, Nicholas Galitzine, Molly Gordon, Hong Chau, Emma Thompson, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Bryan Cranston, Chris O'Dowd, Regina Hall, Patrick Stewart, Bella Ramsey, and Brett Goldstein

How to watch: The Sheep Detectives is now streaming on Prime Video.

Murder on the Orient Express

I was tempted to add several Agatha Christie adaptations to the list. Even beyond direct adaptions of her work, this legendary dame with 66 detective novels to her name was a seminal influence on many movies. But if we had to pick just one, it'd be Sidney Lumet's Murder on the Orient Express. (Yes, yes, Kenneth Branagh adapted the same novel in 2017. This one is better and not an eyesore!)

Christie's iconically mustachioed detective Hercule Poirot is traveling on the eponymous train route, when American businessman Samuel Ratchett is killed in the night. Long before Knives Out, Christie mastered the storytelling method of setting up a murder mystery in a confined space, where all eccentric suspects are interrogated as fear of more murder hangs heavy like a guillotine's blade. Bringing together a cast of critically acclaimed stars, Lumet draws out the suspense and dark humor of Christie's works with a timeless appeal.

Starring: Lauren Bacall, Ingrid Bergman, Sean Connery, John Gielgud, Jean-Pierre Cassel, Vanessa Redgrave, Michael York, Rachel Roberts, Jacqueline Bisset, Anthony Perkins, Denis Quilley, Colin Blakely, and Wendy Hiller

How to watch: Murder on the Orient Express is now streaming on YouTube.

The Last of Sheila

Johnson has cited this under-appreciated film as a big influence on his Knives Out franchise. Written by Psycho star Anthony Perkins and Broadway composer/lyricist Stephen Sondheim, this curious thriller explores the sordid underbelly of the filmmaking industry.

The film begins with gossip columnist Sheila Greene fleeing a Bel Air party, only to be fatally rundown in a hit-and-run. One year later, her husband, movie producer Clinton Greene, reunites the revelers from that night on a boat named Sheila. What begins as a swanky getaway for Hollywood elites becomes a dastardly game, as the secrets of this group float to the surface with deadly consequences. Scandalous and surprising, it's a must-see for murder mystery fans.

Starring: Richard Benjamin, Dyan Cannon, James Coburn, Joan Hackett, James Mason, Ian McShane, and Raquel Welch

How to watch: The Last of Sheila is now streaming on YouTube.

Warning: This article discusses self-harm.

Five episodes into Peacock's Crystal Lake, Friday the 13th fans come across a familiar sight.

With all of Camp Crystal Lake's campers asleep in their beds, their counselors gather by a fireplace for some late-night singing. Couple Claudette (Danielle Kotch) and Barry (Phoenix Parnevik) make eyes at each other throughout the song, then ruin off to a shed to fool around. It's an uncanny mirror to the opening sequence of the original Friday the 13th, right down to foreboding shots from the point of view of an unseen figure stalking the pair.

SEE ALSO: 'Crystal Lake': What is Argonaut?

Anyone who's seen Friday the 13th would think that that figure is Pamela Voorhees (Linda Cardellini), camp line cook and mother to the late Jason Voorhees (Callum Vinson). In the original movie, she admits to killing Claudette and Barry to get revenge on them for shirking their counselor duties and running off to have sex. When they did, they left campers unsupervised, meaning they weren't around to save Jason from drowning.

However, Crystal Lake switches up this defining moment from the franchise, handing the kill over to an entirely different character.

Who kills Barry and Claudette in Crystal Lake?

The culprit in Crystal Lake is actually Grace (Gwendolyn Sundstrom), a young camper who was Jason's only friend. Due to her closeness to Jason, Grace becomes a fixation for Pam. She obsesses over protecting her, even killing her abusive mother, Valerie (Tonya Glanz), in a diner beatdown. In a twist, it turns out that the cigarette burns Pam thought Valerie gave Grace were actually from Grace herself, who was self-harming.

Between Jason's death and her mother's demise, Grace lives in a constant state of emotional turmoil. No wonder she begins to gravitate towards the hippies who are temporarily staying at Camp Crystal Lake. However, the hippies decide they can't take Grace with them to their commune in Maine, and Harmony (Manon Gage) shows more interest in having sex with Barry than in hanging out with Grace. From there, Grace's jealousy takes hold. She takes acid herself. Soon after, she's following Claudette and Barry to the shed.

For Grace, seeing Claudette and Barry hooking up again is a horrifying moment of déjà vu. She witnessed the pair having sex the day Jason died and has been haunted by the encounter ever since. Now, in her altered state, she believes she can prevent Jason's death if she can prevent Claudette and Barry from having sex in that moment. Cue the stabbing! Moments later, Pam rushes in and immediately sets about protecting Grace — but not before she drives the final stab home on Claudette, one last piece of vengeance for her abandoning Jason.

Pam does plenty of killing elsewhere in the show, including unleashing a full bloodbath in the very next episode. That doesn't change the fact that altering the fundamental kills from the first film is an odd move to make in a prequel series, especially one that hews so closely to the style of the original. Instead of adding depth to an iconic horror moment, Crystal Lake pulls a cheap gotcha twist that feels designed to spark outrage from diehard franchise fans.

There is no meaningful recontextualization here, just a surprise that Crystal Lake moves on from far too quickly as it zips towards unpacking Jason's (Callum Vinson) backstory. On top of that, the Grace reveal softens Pam's villainy, removing the stalker-like intention behind the original kills and turning it into her simply taking advantage of an accidental slashing. For a show that's all about putting Pam Voorhees back in the spotlight, Crystal Lake simply couldn't get her biggest moment right.

Crystal Lake is now streaming on Peacock.

Peacock's Crystal Lake conjures up a bloody backstory for Pamela Voorhees (Linda Cardellini), mother to horror icon Jason Voorhees and the killer behind the carnage of Friday the 13th.

SEE ALSO: 2026 fall TV preview: Every show you should know about

The prequel series also dives deeper into Jason's past, long before he drowned in Crystal Lake. At the heart of his and Pam's origin story is a mysterious program known as Argonaut, teased briefly in flashbacks towards the end of Crystal Lake's first episode.

So, what is Argonaut, and how does it shape Jason's journey to slasher fame? Let's dive into the muddy waters of Crystal Lake to find out, but beware: Spoilers lurk beyond this point.

What is Argonaut?

After six episodes of buildup, Crystal Lake's seventh episode, titled "Friday...," reveals everything audiences need to know about Argonaut.

Argonaut is a secret project carried out by Bellflower Chemical in the late 1950s and early 1960s. (While Jason originally drowns in 1957 in the film franchise, Crystal Lake pushes up the timeline so he drowns in 1971, meaning he isn't even born until 1959.) The project is named after the Argonauts, a group of heroes from Greek mythology who sailed on the Argo on the quest to find the Golden Fleece. Their leader was the hero Jason, giving extra meaning to Jason Voorhees' name.

SEE ALSO: 'Avatar: Seven Havens' review: The Avatar apocalypse is a bold, brilliant addition to the franchise

However, Bellflower's Argonaut has a much less shiny goal in mind than the Golden Fleece. Borne from Cold War anxiety, its goal is to prepare humans for inevitable nuclear war between the Americans and the Soviets.

To do this, Bellflower's scientists turn towards the cockroach, claiming it's the "one creature on Earth who can survive an atomic blast." (An assertion that is a myth.) They work to mimic cockroaches' resistance to radiation and nuclear fallout in a human subject. That subject is none other than Jason Voorhees, once known as Jason Whittering.

How does Jason become a part of Argonaut?

At the start of "Friday...," Pam is living the dream: Her singing career is on the rise, she appears to be in a fulfilling relationship with Bellflower employee Elias Whittering (Hamish Linklater), and she's pregnant with her first child. However, after she experiences a miscarriage during a TV performance, Elias whisks her away to Bellflower's state-of-the-art medical facility in Houston, where the company has hired the best obstetricians.

There, Dr. Valentine (Jeffrey Bean) informs Pam that she's actually still pregnant, but her placenta is having trouble staying attached to the uterine wall. In order to help her, he suggests she takes part in a clinical trial for an experimental new treatment.

The trial, however, is not solely to help Pam or her unborn child. It's part of Argonaut's plan, turning Pam and Jason into test subjects through compromised consent. The only other subject she encounters is Trish (Olivia Macklin), another wife of a Bellflower employee. After months of suspecting that her husband and the other doctors are lying to her, Trish's baby is stillborn, and she dies by suicide. Trish's entire life is a testament to the horrors of Argonaut, and a huge warning bell for Pam.

Jason is the first test subject to be successfully carried to term, and the effects of the Argonaut treatment begin to show from an early age. When he's still a baby, he drowns in an overflowing bathtub while an exhausted Pam falls asleep. However, once lifted from the water, he begins crying as if nothing had happened. The incident echoes Jason's later drowning in Crystal Lake, and his survival of such an impossible circumstance is why Pam is so sure Jason is still alive in the present day.

As Jason grows, so does Elias' status at Bellflower. He'd often tell Linda that he was taking Jason to the doctor for treatments, but in reality, the treatments were further experiments that pushed Jason's limits, making him sick with radiation poisoning.

In a keynote speech at a Bellflower event, Elias explains that exposure to physical trauma accelerates Jason's growth and makes him physically stronger. That explains why, in the present timeline, Jason has grown so quickly and intensely after drowning in Crystal Lake.

What Elias fails to mention is that Argonaut treatment and repeated physical trauma could cause heightened aggression in subjects. When Pam sneaks into the Argonaut lab during Elias' speech, she discovers a subject whose head is covered, thrashing about like an animal — not unlike Jason's behavior in the woods around Crystal Lake.

Pam is able to flee Bellflower with Jason, but the impacts of Argonaut leave lasting scars on both of them. Jason can't escape his increased resilience or its unintended side effects, while Pam is forever haunted by the harm Elias and Bellflower enacted on her son. She vows to never let anyone hurt him ever again, and it's that same fiery protectiveness that later manifests in her killing spree around Crystal Lake.

Crystal Lake is now streaming on Peacock.