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Just when The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power reveals the identity of one mysterious wizard, it brings in a new mysterious mage for us to puzzle over.
Season 1 introduced us to the Stranger (Daniel Weyman), a powerful figure with no recollection of who he is. Based on a key quote in the Season 1 finale and a new hint in Season 2, episode 2, it's fairly clear to the audience that the Stranger is Gandalf the Grey. But he has no way of knowing that! So it's off to the Eastern land of Rhûn for the Stranger, where he hopes to find answers about who he is and what role he has to play in the battle to come against Sauron (Charlie Vickers).
SEE ALSO: 'The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power' Season 2 review: Darkness looks good on Middle-earthBut before the Stranger can worry about the Dark Lord, he'll have to deal with another villainous entity: a Dark Wizard (Ciarán Hinds) who's set up shop in Rhûn. In Season 2, episode 2, we learn that it was this Dark Wizard who was responsible for sending the white-cloaked Mystics after the Stranger in Season 1. He also seems to be a fan of both moth magic and blood magic, but otherwise, we don't know much about the Dark Wizard — not even his real name! Just like with the Stranger's identity in Season 1, though, we can definitely make some educated guesses as to who from J.R.R. Tolkien's legendarium the Dark Wizard might be.
The biggest clue here is the "wizard" of it all, which suggests that the Dark Wizard is an Istar like the Stranger. Appropriately meaning "Wise One" or "Wizard," the Istari are a group of five powerful spirits known as Maiar whom the Valar sent to protect Middle-earth.
Three of the Istari feature fairly prominently in Tolkien's work: Gandalf the Grey, Saruman the White, and Radagast the Brown. However, The Rings of Power's Dark Wizard really can't be any of these three. The show has indirectly confirmed time and again that the Stranger is Gandalf, so that's him ruled out. Saruman does eventually fall to the darkness in The Lord of the Rings trilogy, but his turn occurring in the Second Age, when The Rings of Power takes place, would be far too soon. Finally, nature-loving Radagast is probably too busy hanging out with the animals of Middle-earth to even bother raising a cult of moth-wielding Mystics.
So that leaves us with the last two Istari, and the ones Tolkien tells us the least about: the Blue Wizards, otherwise known as Ithryn Luin, named for the color of the robes they wore upon arrival to Middle-earth.
SEE ALSO: Did you catch this hint at the Stranger's real name in 'The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power' Season 2? Who are the Blue Wizards in Tolkien's work?The Blue Wizards are a big question mark in Tolkien's legendarium, perhaps even to Tolkien himself. In one of his 1958 letters, he wrote, "I really do not know anything clearly about the other two [Istari]." In the Unfinished Tales, there are mentions of them being named Alatar and Pallando. In later works, though, he referred to them as Morinehtar and Rómestámo.
These later writings clarify a bit of what Tolkien believed to be the purpose of the Blue Wizards, which was to curb Sauron's rise in the East. And you know what's in the East? Rhûn, right where the Dark Wizard is hanging out. Based on that alone, it's pretty likely that the Dark Wizard is one of the Ithryn Luin.
There's even more evidence for that theory, though. In the same letter where Tolkien said he didn't know too much about the Blue Wizards, he theorized that they were "emissaries to distant regions" who "failed, as Saruman did" and fell to darkness. From there, Tolkien "suspect[ed] they were founders or beginners of secret cults and 'magic' traditions that outlasted the fall of Sauron." And I don't know about you, but the Mystics and their moth magic feel very much like a secret cult to me.
Of course, there's the the small problem that the Dark Wizard's robes and surroundings are devoid of anything blue, which doesn't exactly scream Blue Wizard. But perhaps he simply rejected the color associated with his original mission to Middle-earth when he turned evil, ditching the blue for his current look. After all, if Sauron's shift from Halbrand to Annatar taught us anything, it's that Middle-earth villains love a makeover.
By the end of its first season, The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power all but confirmed that the mysterious Stranger (Daniel Weyman) was none other than Gandalf himself. If his magic powers, gray clothing, and affection for the Hobbit-like Harfoots weren't indicators enough, him directly quoting Ian McKellen's Gandalf in the finale — saying "if in doubt, always follow your nose" — sealed the deal.
However, as The Rings of Power Season 2 kicks off, the Stranger still has no clue who he is. That's why he, Nori Brandyfoot (Markella Kavenagh), and Poppy Proudfellow (Megan Richards) are following a star map to the Eastern land of Rhûn. Maybe there, they can find answers about who the Stranger is, including, crucially, his name.
SEE ALSO: 'The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power' Season 2 review: Darkness looks good on Middle-earthIn episode 2, Nori does her best to workshop some possible names for the Stranger. Suggestions include Doderic, Andwise, and Fredegar. While the Stranger isn't feeling any of those, the names are fun nods to Hobbits briefly mentioned in J.R.R. Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings: Doderic Brandybuck is a relative of Merry, Andwise Roper is Sam's uncle, and Fredegar Bolger (aka "Fatty" Bolger) is a good friend of Frodo's, and later Merry's brother-in-law.
However, Nori says something else in episode 2 that's a clearer hint at the Stranger's name — even if she doesn't realize it at the time. As Poppy wonders why the Stranger can't just magically create food and water for them, Nori reminds her that he needs a stick or staff of some kind to harness his power, saying "he's afraid he'd lose control again without a gand."
SEE ALSO: 'The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power' Season 2: Who is the Dark Wizard?Now hold on just a minute! A "gand"? As in "Gand"alf? That's it, we've cracked the code!
But "gand" — from the Old Norse "gandr," meaning "staff," "wand," or even "magic" — is so much more than just a word that sounds similar to Gandalf. It's a key part of the etymology of Gandalf's name, and it could be a clue as to what the Stranger's quest in Rhûn will entail.
Why is a "gand" so important in The Rings of Power? Daniel Weyman in "The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power." Credit: Ben Rothstein / Prime VideoTolkien didn't come up with the name Gandalf on his own. Instead, he tweaked a name from a section of the Norse poem Völuspá titled the "Catalogue of Dwarves." (This is also where most of the dwarves' names from The Hobbit came from.) Name-wise, the inspiration for Gandalf was a dwarf named Gandálfr, which combines "gandr" and "álfr," meaning elf. Basically, "Gandálfr" means "elf with a wand."
Being the language lover that he was, Tolkien preserved that meaning in his own works. He wrote in his Unfinished Tales that the name Gandalf means "Elf of the Wand," in reference to both Gandalf's staff and Men's misconception that he was an Elf. (Notably, "Gandalf" is just the name Men came to know the wizard by. He has other names, including Olórin, his name in Valinor, and Mithrandir, the name given to him by the Elves.)
By mentioning the Stranger's need for a gand in episode 2, The Rings of Power positions the search for a staff as a key part of his quest moving forward. Add to that his episode 1 dream of a shapeshifting staff calling to him, and we're officially on staff watch.
So where is Gandalf going to find a staff in Rhûn? Could he fashion one from those gnarled trees all around the desert? Might he receive one as a gift? And perhaps most pressingly, will he understand how a gand relates to his name as soon as he takes up his staff? Or, like in Tolkien's work, will he earn that name from Men he encounters on his journeys?
Apple Intelligence is a little easier to try out if you're not in the U.S. Unfortunately, users in the European Union and China are still fully excluded.
As noticed by 9to5Mac, the latest developer beta of iOS (iOS 18.1 Beta 3) no longer requires the user to set the device region to the U.S. The only thing that is required is for the user to set device language and Siri language to the U.S. English language.
This does not mean that AI features are available in languages other than U.S. English; they're not. It's just a little easier for users outside of the U.S. to test the new features out, without having to set device region to the U.S. and thus change their clock, calendar, and other settings.
Apple's own release notes for iOS 18.1 Beta 3 reflect this. "To try the Apple Intelligence beta, join the waitlist in Settings and you will be notified as soon as it is ready for your device. Both device language and Siri language must be set to U.S. English," the notes say.
NOPE. Credit: Stan Schroeder/MashableBeing in Europe, I was excited about this change. Unfortunately, the release notes also state that "Apple Intelligence is not currently available in the EU or China." I've upgraded to the latest developer beta and tested this out; sure enough, Apple Intelligence is still unavailable to me.
This is hardly surprising given Europe's recently introduced rules for artificial intelligence, which prompted Apple to delay AI features in the EU.
SEE ALSO: Apple's iPhone 17 will come with a huge RAM upgrade, report claimsThere is a way to override this and test Apple Intelligence features in Europe, but it requires the user to set the device region to U.S. (in addition to the settings mentioned above). The real dealbreaker is that you also must set your Apple ID country to the U.S., and to do that, you need to go through a number of (typically painfully annoying) steps which include canceling subscriptions that block a country/region change and wait for subscriptions to expire, and re-download all your apps, music, movies, and TV shows. And even if you do all that, it still might not work unless you use a VPN (and even then you could get mixed results). In other words, for the vast majority of users, it's not worth trying.
It's a Wednesday night in south-east London and dozens of intrepid young single people are sitting cross legged on the floor and looking up at a disrobed life model.
"Am I doing feet again?" I ask, already knowing the answer.
"Who's drawing the boobs?"
"Is that where her bum is going?"
We've just arrived at Dulwich Art Group's "Draw and Date" event for single people in their mid-20s to mid-30s, and we're breaking the ice with a group "fast poses" activity. In random groups, we're combining our efforts to produce a life-size charcoal drawing of the life model in front of us. A few people are drawing the model's upper body, while some sketch out her torso, and I attempt to draw a knee, shin, and foot. I have zero life drawing experience and, well, it shows. But, I'm also not alone in that. There are many beginners here, all of us muddling along and trying our best, with mixed results. A metaphor for modern dating, you might say.
This event is part of a wave of offline dating events that are popping up in response to dating app fatigue, which is currently plaguing online dating culture right now. A recent report found that 79 percent of Gen Z daters experienced dating app burnout. There's a number of issues afoot in dating right now, principal among the complaints is the lack of conversation going on in people's inboxes. Many report amassing matches like collectors' items (albeit ones you can quickly dispose of), but when it comes to interacting with them, that's where we run into trouble. Tumbleweed in the chat. And so, we continue the vicious (and boring!) cycle of swiping, spending enough time for it to feel like the least rewarding side hustle imaginable.
As a long-time singleton who's been on just about every dating app known to humankind, I'm no stranger to feeling like I want to throw my phone in the sea. So, why not try something new? Shake things up a little? Enter the chat: IRL events for singles.
SEE ALSO: I got stood up. I refuse to let dating app culture break my spirit.Back in the bustling studio, we're appraising the fruits of our labour. And, the finished product is...interesting, to say the least. Together, we've sketched a (very) creative interpretation of the human body. Who said art needed to be realistic, anyway? Glancing over at the handiwork of the group next to us is humbling. Their drawing is objectively great, each body part looking consistent and life-like. There's no time to dwell on our artistic shortcomings, however. We're ushered outside to get some fresh air while the organisers set up easels for the next activity.
Our drawing. Credit: Rachel Thompson / Mashable The superior drawing by the group next to us. Credit: Rachel Thompson / MashableIt's a balmy evening — 28 degrees celsius (82.4F) — and everyone is looking decidedly sweaty and a tad nervous. But, we're doing what we came here to do: chat to interesting strangers. Mercifully, any shyness was overcome in that group activity and we're all getting stuck in. "So, how did you find out about this event?" appears to be everyone's favourite opening line. The consensus is: Instagram. We move on to asking people where they live and there's a decent mix of people who live near and far.
As a millennial in my mid-thirties, I came of age before Tinder blew up, before dating apps. Offline dating events are having a moment right now amid the dating app fatigue, but let's not forget, it wasn't all that long ago when offline dating was just...dating. If there's a meme response for this last statement, it'd be: "Sure grandma let's get you to bed."
Our next activity at Draw and Date is about to begin, and each woman has been asked to grab and easel, which is equipped with paper and charcoal. Much like a speed-dating event, the men will rotate through the room easel-by-easel, lending their artistic talents (or lack thereof) until the bell rings and it's time to move on. This way, you get a chance to meet everyone and chat to anyone you might have had your eye on. They're a friendly bunch and the conversation is flowing.
Credit: Rachel Thompson / MashableDuring this rotation, I meet two gay guys who feel a little outnumbered by the straight folks in the room. The signup sheet didn't ask about sexual orientation for their inaugural event, but in the future, it would be great to have an event aimed solely at gay and bi men, and another for lesbians and bi women.
Collaboration takes many forms in this activity — some of my group partners stand and talk while I attempt to capture the model's contorted pose. There are a few attempts by the men to "correct" my work and one even rubs out the face I've drawn, replacing it with his own scribbles. One man critiques the curve I've bestowed on the model's bum in my drawing, suggesting I've given her too much ass. "In an ideal world, yes, the line would come out here, but it doesn't," he says, before redrawing the line. I'll let that anecdote percolate with you. Thank goodness for the bell, eh.
The final activity requires being paired up with someone you've not spoken to yet and, together, you draw one half of the model's front-facing body. We get two attempts with two different poses. My partner and I work well together, he compliments my technique, and I feel like my drawing style has loosened up over the course of the class. The finished results are...pretty good actually. I'm not as terrible as I thought I was!
At the end of the two-hour event, the organisers thank us and instruct us to head to the pub next door, should we wish to chat to anyone further, or even swap details. I spy one pairing exchanging numbers (cute!). A few people linger, waiting to see who's heading out to continue the evening.
It was fun to flirt with lots of strangers, but I didn't feel a connection with anyone in particular. I did, however, make a new friend, which is always lovely. What I appreciated about the event was the hopefulness that everyone seemed to have. We all stepped outside of our comfort zone not knowing what to expect, feeling a little exposed, a little vulnerable. It's a brave thing to have hope and to put yourself out there, physically as well as digitally. So, when I stopped by the pub on my route home for a solo G&T, I commended myself for my bravery. Maybe I'll go along again, perhaps I'll take up life drawing lessons. I had a fun evening and chatted a lot of lovely people while doing something artistic. It certainly beats a night of swiping on my sofa.
Apple's iPhone 16 is due to launch in two weeks, but we're already seeing rumors about its successor, the iPhone 17.
On Wednesday, a Chinese leaker said that the iPhone 17 will be a huge upgrade compared to iPhone 16 when it comes to RAM. Apple's iPhone 16 models will come with 8GB of RAM, he said, but iPhone 17 will have 12GB of RAM, which will apparently make it more capable to handle advanced AI applications.
SEE ALSO: What to expect from Apple's September event: iPhone 16, Apple Watch 10, and moreThen, Apple sleuth Ming-Chi Kuo chimed in in a tweet. According to Kuo only the iPhone 17 Pro Max will come with 12GB RAM, with the other models still limited to 8GB RAM.
Tweet may have been deleted"Enhanced on-device AI capabilities will likely be a major selling point for the iPhone 17 Pro Max," he wrote.
Kuo also said that the iPhone 17 Pro Max will have an "upgraded cooling system combining vapor chamber (VC) technology and graphite sheets," while the other new iPhones launched in 2025 will use graphite sheets alone for thermal management.
There's a lot of assumptions here: We don't even know how much RAM the iPhone 16 will have, as this device hasn't come out. We do know, however, that the iPhone 15 models come with 6GB of RAM, while both the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max have 8GB of RAM.
Artificial intelligence (or Apple Intelligence, as Apple calls it) can be resource hungry, so it makes sense for Apple to beef up RAM for next year's models.
This is not the first rumor we've heard about Apple's iPhone 17. Previous reports said that Apple is working on a "slim" iPhone 17 variant; we've also heard that the iPhone 17 will have an upgraded, 24-megapixel selfie camera, and that the rear camera will be relocated to the top center of the phone's back.
It's fun to speculate about next year's iPhone, but for now we're far more interested in this year's iPhone 16. Apple is scheduled to launch new iPhones, along with new Watches and perhaps a few other devices, on Sept. 9.
If you're a scholar of Greek mythology, froth over The Iliad, The Odyssey, and Metamorphoses, couldn't put Hades or Assassin's Creed: Odyssey down, or love movies and TV shows like Blood of Zeus, Xena: Warrior Princess, and Disney's Hercules, you'll be able to watch Netflix's Kaos with little confusion. If you're not up on the major deities of the Greek pantheon or heroes like Odysseus, Perseus, and Theseus (a lot of 'euses'), the series might have you scrambling to Google who's who.
But luckily, narrator Prometheus is there to guide you through Kaos. He's just having his liver pecked out by an eagle as he does.
SEE ALSO: 7 ancient Greeks who might be your friend in 'Assassin's Creed: Odyssey'From The End of the F***ing World writer Charlie Covell, with directors Georgi Banks-Davies and Runyararo Mapfumo, Kaos is a deadpan, dark, soapy take on Greek myths, staying mildly true to their stories and taking liberties where it works — often to make political statements, and sometimes just because it's fun. With a sprawling, talented, mostly British cast (some of whom are deeply underused; hello, Billie Piper), arresting production design, and enough IYKYK ancient asides to sink a galley, Kaos is a nerdy, modern foray into legend, with a tempestuous, sybaritic, divine family at its core.
What is Kaos about? Janet McTeer as Hera and Jeff Goldblum as Zeus in "Kaos." Credit: Justin Downing / NetflixIn modern Krete, gods meddle with human lives like egomaniacal kids in a worldwide candy store, gathering to watch the mortals' tribulations on TV over family dinner. Televised human sacrifices are given on the regular to appease Olympian braggadocio and king of the gods Zeus (Jeff Goldblum). Human political leaders like President — not King, but pretty much — Minos (Stanley Townsend) pander to the whims of pescatarian playboy Poseidon (Cliff Curtis). Women voluntarily slice off their tongues to become loyal earthly followers of power player and divine queen Hera (Janet McTeer). Among it all, Dionysus (Nabhaan Rizwan) drowns his daddy issues in excess.
Nabhaan Rizwan as Dionysus. Credit: Justin Downing / NetflixBut not everyone's happy with the gods, and dissent simmers throughout the streets. Worried about a pesky little prophecy predicting his downfall, and refusing to tolerate blasphemy without consequence, Zeus decides to zap his human underlings with a little divine punishment.
Crucially, there are three humans essential to Zeus' prophesied downfall: There's Ariadne or "Ari" (Leila Farzad), dutiful daughter of Minos, who's crushing on her security guard Theseus (Daniel Lawrence Taylor) and hoping to peacefully sort out Kretians sharing their city with persecuted Trojan War refugees; there's Eurydice or "Riddy" (Aurora Perrineau), doomed muse of Chris Martin-like pop musician Orpheus (Killian Scott); and there's Caenaeus (Misia Butler), a trans man who had to leave the Amazons, was murdered, then ended up working in the Underworld.
Leila Farzad as Ariadne or "Ari." Credit: Justin Downing / NetflixCovell's observational wit and clear love for the Greek myths comes through his ill-fated narrator, Prometheus (Stephen Dillane), who, hanging from a cliff face, gives Guy Ritchie-style commentary about the events — all while his liver is pecked out daily by an eagle. Constant shots back to Prometheus breaking the fourth wall do get a little tiresome, but they're crucial to keeping the audience aware of the importance of seemingly banal moments.
Kaos plays with figures of Greek myths like toys in a sandbox Debi Mazar as Medusa? Yes, yes, yes. Credit: Justin Downing / NetflixThe Greek pantheon is already a heaving soap opera of adulterous, murderous, power-hungry narcissists, so Covell has plenty to work with fitting them into a modern TV series. Kaos plays on recent shows like Succession and The Fall of the House of Usher centred around tyrannical, powerful families, with Covell attempting to bring a little Roy family venom to the Olympian dinner table. The gods were the originals, after all.
Covell wields the major players of Greek mythology as if playing in a sandbox, slightly tweaking well-worn detail for a contemporary-feeling narrative that avoids going full caricature. The series plucks these legendary figures from their reverent pedestals on ancient amphorae and gold-framed masterpieces, plunging them into human bodies in 2024. The show's depiction of such well-known names as Zeus, Hera, and Poseidon wandering through our world feels very Terry Gilliam and more adult than Percy Jackson and the Olympians.
Cliff Curtis as Poseidon. Credit: Justin Downing / NetflixCovell's modern updates often feel like theatrical jests. For one, the entrance to Hades lies in a skip bin at the back of a desert dive bar called The Cave, the crumbling haunt of The Fates (Suzy Eddie Izzard, Sam Buttery, and Ché) owned by Poly (Joe McGann), an eye-patched version of the cyclops Polyphemus. The Underworld itself isn't a writhing seven circles of Hell as we thought; instead, it's a boring, bland pit of bureaucracy and middle management, where a disinterested Medusa (Debi Mazar) trains newcomers. Charon's (Ramon Tikaram) legendary Styx ferry is a crappy fishing boat. The mighty three-headed Cerberus, guardian dog of the underworld, is shrunk down to the cutest platoon of three-headed sniffer dogs you'll ever see. They're all clever, thoughtful interpretations of famous figures, brought to life by a talented cast that commits.
Move over, Zeus: The supporting characters of Kaos are the real gods The Fates themselves! Sam Buttery, Suzy Eddie Izzard, and Ché. Credit: Justin Downing / NetflixThe big drawcard and marketing emphasis for Kaos is Jeff Goldblum as king of the gods Zeus, with the promise of the gregarious actor dabbling in various lightning-bolt knee-jerk reactions and narcissistic bad management. And Goldlbum does deliver, playing both the frivolous party god and the brutish, thunderous bully. But the monarch of Olympus is arguably outshone by the other members of the pantheon and the show's human heroes.
Curtis pretty much steals every scene he's in as the bored, indulgent Poseidon, lounging about on his superyacht The Trident and providing the infusion of humor this show needs — a talent Mazar shares as the deadpan Medusa. David Thewlis is perfectly cast as Hades, a tie-wearing bureaucrat who'd probably bore you to death before anything, and Rakie Ayola gives Persephone an amiable practicality lacking in the other gods. McTeer's Hera, a steely queen giving Claire Underwood energy, gets the lion's share of the characteristically bonkers Greek god activities: shapeshifting into Zeus for a human sexual tryst then turning his lovers into bees, slicing off the tongues of her followers and using them as macabre listening devices. The usual.
Although he's given ample screen time and brings credulous, romantic sweetness to the god, Rizwan feels relatively safe as Dionysus, the PG god of wine, madness, ecstasy, and hedonism. A fine True Blood purveyor of Bacchanalian excess, this Dionysus is not.
Billie Piper is in "Kaos" for a second as Cassandra. More please! Credit: Justin Downing / NetflixOn Earth, the supremely talented Billie Piper is criminally underused as Cassandra, making an impact despite her small role as the prophet who'd never be believed. Farzad and Perrineau are compelling and earnest as Ariadne and Riddy, two smart, strong women who are simultaneously put on a pedestal and undermined by the men in their lives, and who are determined to reclaim their agency. Butler is an understated treat as Caenaeus, making romantic even a place as morose as the Underworld. And though Scott brings the right lovelorn theatricality to Orpheus, the show crushed his characterisation for me with one overwhelmingly cheesy song performed at a concert right from the start. This man's musical talents need to be able to pull his wife out of Hell. That "Eurydice" song is not it.
The trustiest supporting stars of the series are those who dwell in The Cave, with Izzard and her fellow Fates making me want to join whatever band they're forming. Similarly, the justice-delivering Furies (Cathy Tyson, Natalie Klamar, and Donna Banya) bring a consistent, swaggering Western vibe to the series.
For me, a mythology nerd, the series slightly suffers from its extremely limited pantheon, with Dionysus the only one of the "kids" to show up to Zeus and Hera's family barbecues. It's possible Covell is keeping the rest of the gods and goddesses for next season, but Olympus feels empty without a trace of Demeter, Aphrodite, Athena, Artemis, Apollo, Ares, Hephaestus, and Hermes — all rife for comedic characterisation of their own.
Kaos leans little on CGI, instead making every last physical detail count David Thewlis and Rakie Ayola as Hades and Persephone. Credit: Justin Downing / NetflixGreek myths are often difficult to depict, challenging ancient amphorae painters and Renaissance artists alike. But Kaos leans away from too much CGI (though there is a little; three-headed dogs don't just draw themselves) and toward opulent, theatre-like production design from Dick Lunn for the various environments. Covell developed Kaos from a short play called The Company Project, so that tracks. Eurydice's pain at not being able to submerge in the River Lethe is beautifully done, with Perrineau seemingly walking on water through hidden, old-school production tricks. If you label a simple door as "Earth" and want your audience to believe it's a portal, it takes a lot of work around that option to make it make sense — and Kaos makes it happen.
By no means is set decoration and design in Kaos an afterthought, with meticulously detailed and tongue-in-cheek Easter eggs hidden through every scene. Costuming by Rebecca Hale and hair and makeup by Vickie Lang is sleek and subtle, with lightning-bolt trimming for Zeus' leisure suit and Medusa's snake hair kept at bay with a headscarf. The set design and decoration includes miniscule references to people and places of Greek myth — a Tyndareus Gasoline petrol station; cereal aisle full of Gaea's Granola, Achilles' Heels, and Spartan Crunch; stores selling toy versions of Poseidon's trident and Zeus' lightning bolt; and sports teams named for beings like the Satyrs. There's ample amount of foreshadowing of characters' fates in fly-by references, like Eurydice buying Underworld fave the pomegranate at the supermarket.
Set-wise, Kaos is a sumptuous feast on one hand, an intentionally soulless pit on the other. Mount Olympus is a palatial, verdant complex with elegant fountains, gilded baroque dining sets, casual peacocks, and gluttonous feasts on the lush lawn. In the Underworld, Kaos joins Loki, Good Omens, and The Umbrella Academy in the insistent trend toward fantasy realms as mid-century modernist, with all-powerful deities inexplicably using chunky telephones and outdated technology to communicate with each other. Much of the action takes place in the Underworld, where Kaos relies on a black and white filter to represent the lifeless realm; it works from a budget perspective while lending an easy elegance.
Misia Butler as Caenaeus with a liiiiitttlle Cerrrrrberuuuuus eeeeee. Credit: Justin Downing / NetflixThe future for Kaos is left on a cliffhanger, teasing a second season and leaving a fair few storylines unaddressed at the close. Narrative-wise, the story seems to be leading to more of its titular chaos, so we can probably expect more Greek mythology-level bonkers pandemonium in Season 2. As for the first season, lovers of Greek myth will inevitably spend the eight episodes smugly pointing out references, while newcomers might feel slightly adrift as to who's who. But it's an entertaining, soapy, surreal series that plays well with the gods, wrath be damned.
How to watch: Kaos is now streaming on Netflix.
The Pixel 9 Pro XL came out swinging with an impressive set of features that threaten Samsung and Apple's dominance in the smartphone market.
From its Super Res Zoom feature that allowed me to see strangers more than 5,000 feet away to its record-breaking battery life, the Pixel 9 Pro XL is the best Android phone I've ever tested. (And this is coming from someone who daily drives the Galaxy S24 Ultra, the latest and greatest phone Samsung has to offer.)
The Google Pixel 9 has great zoom, but it's not as impressive as the Pixel 9 Pro XL Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / MashableThe Pixel 9 Pro XL couldn't get any better — until I spotted some chit-chat about a new display feature across the Pixel 9 series.
Called "Adaptive Touch," Google says that it's a touch sensitivity feature that "will automatically adjust to your environment, activities, and screen protector." The Pixel 9 series, by the way, has a similar touch sensitivity feature called Screen Protector Mode, but it's not new. The novel Adaptive Touch tool is designed to auto-adjust to various conditions, but Screen Protector Mode kicks the sensitivity up a notch to compensate for users' screen protectors.
Water droplets on the Google Pixel 9 Pro XL Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / MashableGoogle never explicitly said that Adaptive Touch supports wet fingers, but some tech outlets put it to the test and got optimistic results. "The Pixel 9 works much better with wet fingers than the Pixel 8 Pro," Android Authority said. "The Pixel 9 handles wet fingers like a champ, offering a smooth scrolling experience even with water standing on the screen," Chrome Unboxed said.
I'm skeptical, so I decided to test this Adaptive Touch feature myself with the Pixel 9 Pro XL.
Pixel 9 Pro XL: How does it fare in the shower?No, I didn't totally submerge the Pixel 9 Pro XL in water or anything wild like that, but I did recreate a scenario I often find myself in: interacting with my device, wet fingers and all, while blasting music in the shower.
The Touch Sensitivity feature should already be on by default, but you can toggle it off. Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / MashableYes, I'm one of those people who brings their phones into the bathroom to play music for a shower soirée. (Hey, if I'm going to slip on soap, at least I'll do it to a good beat.)
I accessed Adaptive Touch by navigating to Settings > Display > Touch Sensitivity. As it turned out, Adaptive Touch is toggled on by default for Pixel 9 devices.
So the question is, after drenching my fingers in water, and getting some droplets on the screen, how did the Pixel 9 Pro XL fare in the shower? Here are my ratings:
Tapping on apps - Good. The Pixel 9 Pro XL was responsive to all the apps I tapped on via the home screen.
Swiping (up and down) - Terrible. Exiting apps require an upward swipe, but I needed to employ this gesture several times before the screen responded.
Swiping (left and right) - Good. The Pixel 9 Pro XL was responsive as I swiped through my collection of apps.
Scrolling - Terrible. I experienced some glitches and phantom touches.
Fingerprint unlock - Good. No issues while using biometric authentication to unlock the Pixel 9 Pro XL.
To sum it up, I was able to tap on apps and other UI elements without any issues. For example, I was able to skip to the next track on my playlists seamlessly. Swiping through my apps on the home screen was a smooth experience, too.
Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / MashableHowever, when it comes to scrolling through long-form content, I experienced "screen jumping" in which I'd try to scroll down to the bottom of the article, but it'd jump back up to the top. Swiping upward to escape apps was the most frustrating; I sometimes found myself repeatedly swiping up to 10 times before I finally got a response.
Although fingerprint unlock worked well with my wet fingers, as ExtremeTech (Mashable's sister site) pointed out, the Pixel 9 series' new ultrasonic in-display sensor likely played a bigger role in my positive experience with it.
Without getting too technical, the ultrasonic sensor, an upgrade from the Pixel 8 series' optical sensor, is designed to detect your fingerprints even while wet. My Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra also has an ultrasonic in-display sensor — and it, too, can detect my fingerprints while they're wet.
While the Pixel 9 Pro XL fares well in the shower for some gestures, I wouldn't say that it excels in supporting wet fingers. However, if you ever get caught in the rain, or you just came out of a dip in the pool (or you, like me, enjoy jamming out in the shower), the Pixel 9 Pro XL can handle simple taps without malfunctioning.
The OnePlus Ace 2 Pro famously has a "Rain Water Touch" feature that is designed to handle pesky water droplets on a display, so perhaps it's about time that Google, Samsung, and Apple seriously considers wet-finger support.
Opens in a new window Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable Google Pixel 9 Pro XL $1,099.00TL;DR: Secure access to your favorite free porn sites with a VPN. The best service for unblocking porn sites like Xnxx is ExpressVPN.
There are a lot of locations around the world that will block access to your favorite porn sites, and that's probably a good idea. However, there is a time and a place for everything. And when the time is right, you'll want to be able to access sites like Xnxx without hassle.
In this situation, you should consider using a VPN. These tools can bypass online restrictions to gain access to block sites from anywhere in the world. This sounds complicated, but it's really not.
If you're looking for the best way to unblock sites like Xnxx from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.
How to unblock Xnxx for freeVPNs can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to secure servers in other locations. This straightforward process means you can bypass geo-restrictions to access porn sites like Xnxx from anywhere in the world.
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The best VPNs for bypassing content restrictions are not free, but leading VPNs do tend to offer free-trial periods or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can unblock porn sites like Xnxx without actually spending anything. This obviously isn't a long-term solution, but it does mean you can retain access to porn sites when traveling or temporarily away from home.
What is the best VPN for porn?ExpressVPN is the best service for fast and reliable unblocking of porn sites like Xnxx, for a number of reasons:
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Unblock Xnxx for free with ExpressVPN.
TL;DR: Live stream Sinner vs. Michelsen in the 2024 US Open for free on 9Now or TVNZ+. Access these free streaming platforms from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.
Jannik Sinner is the top-seeded player at the US Open, but most people would probably favor Djokovic or Alcaraz over the Italian. That puts Sinner in the strange position of seeking his second Grand Slam title of the year as an unfancied favorite.
Whether Sinner can truly compete with Djokovic and Alcaraz is yet to be seen, because first he needs to get past Alex Michelsen in the second round.
If you want to watch Sinner vs. Michelsen in the 2024 US Open for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.
How to watch Sinner vs. Michelsen in the 2024 US Open for freeFans can live stream the 2024 US Open for free on these platforms:
These streaming services are geo-blocked, but anyone from around the world can access these sites with a VPN. These handy tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to secure servers in other countries, meaning you can unblock 9Now and TVNZ+ from anywhere in the world.
Access free live streams of the 2024 US Open by following these simple steps:
Subscribe to a streaming-friendly VPN (like ExpressVPN)
Download the app to your device of choice (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)
Open up the app and connect to a server in Australia or New Zealand
Watch Sinner vs. Michelsen in the 2024 US Open for free from anywhere in the world
The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but leading VPNs do tend to offer deals such as free-trial periods or money-back guarantees. You can leverage these offers to access free live streams of Sinner vs. Michelsen without actually spending anything. This isn't a long-term solution, but it gives you enough time to watch every US Open match before recovering your investment.
What is the best VPN for the US Open?ExpressVPN is the best service for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream the US Open for free, for a number of reasons:
Servers in 105 countries including Australia and New Zealand
Easy-to-use app available on all major devices including iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac, and more
Strict no-logging policy so your data is always secure
Fast connection speeds
Up to eight simultaneous connections
30-day money-back guarantee
A one-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $99.95 and includes an extra three months for free — 49% off for a limited time. This plan also includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee.
Live stream Sinner vs. Michelsen in the 2024 US Open for free from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.
TL;DR: Live stream Alcaraz vs. Van de Zandschulp in the 2024 US Open for free on 9Now or TVNZ+. Access these free streaming platforms from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.
The US Open has started with a bunch of exciting matchups between top players, and that's not going to stop as we move closer to the finals.
Someone who will have his heart set on making the final will be Carlos Alcaraz. The Spaniard did drop a set in his first-round match, but that won't worry him. He'll firmly believe that he can go all the way and win his third Grand Slam title of the year.
If you want to watch Alcaraz vs. Van de Zandschulp in the 2024 US Open for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.
How to watch Alcaraz vs. Van de Zandschulp in the 2024 US Open for freeFans can live stream the 2024 US Open for free on these platforms:
These streaming services are geo-blocked, but anyone from around the world can access these sites with a VPN. These handy tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to secure servers in other countries, meaning you can unblock 9Now and TVNZ+ from anywhere in the world.
Access free live streams of the 2024 US Open by following these simple steps:
Subscribe to a streaming-friendly VPN (like ExpressVPN)
Download the app to your device of choice (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)
Open up the app and connect to a server in Australia or New Zealand
Watch Alcaraz vs. Van de Zandschulp in the 2024 US Open for free from anywhere in the world
The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but top VPNs do tend to offer incentive deals such as free-trial periods or money-back guarantees. You can leverage these offers to access free live streams of Alcaraz vs. Van de Zandschulp without actually spending anything. This isn't a long-term solution, but it gives you enough time to watch every US Open match before recovering your investment.
What is the best VPN for the US Open?ExpressVPN is the best service for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream the US Open for free, for a number of reasons:
Servers in 105 countries including Australia and New Zealand
Easy-to-use app available on all major devices including iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac, and more
Strict no-logging policy so your data is always secure
Fast connection speeds
Up to eight simultaneous connections
30-day money-back guarantee
A one-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $99.95 and includes an extra three months for free — 49% off for a limited time. This plan also includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee.
Live stream Alcaraz vs. Van de Zandschulp in the 2024 US Open for free from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.
TL;DR: Clean the pet dander and other allergens from the air with the Turonic PH950 Air Purifier and Humidifier, now $279.99 (reg. $389).
Opens in a new window Credit: Turonic Turonic PH950 Air Purifier & Humidifier Combo $279.99Allergies, like the things that cause them, come in all shapes and sizes. A tiny sniffle after your cat rubbing against your face? No problem. But what about when your sneezes sound like two freight trains wrestling in a tiny tunnel? You can't get rid of Mr. Mittens, and allergy pills aren't always the best option. You know what doesn't have side effects? An air purifier.
The Turonic PH950 is part air purifier, part humidifier. Together, it's a full atmospheric revamp for your room, and anyone with seasonal or pet allergies will probably want one, especially now that they're $110 off.
Why would I pay $280 for an air purifier?In short, this air purifier is worth the price because it works really well on a big area.
For more details, the PH950 is a beast when it comes to cleaning the air in your home. It starts with an 8-stage purification system that leaves no stone unturned. First up is a mesh pre-filter that grabs pet hair and dust, the usual suspects in homes with pets. Then, the cotton filter catches smaller particles, and the true HEPA filter swoops in to take care of those ultra-fine allergens that have you sneezing up a storm.
If you’ve got odors from pets or anything else lingering around, the activated carbon filter and cold catalyst filter are on it. And just when you think that’s all, the UV light steps in to eliminate bacteria and viruses, giving you peace of mind that your air has gone through the wringer and come out better for it.
The PH950 also has a built-in humidifier, which is a game-changer, especially if you’re battling dry air or allergies. Maintaining the right humidity levels may do wonders for your respiratory comfort.
And the best part? This powerhouse is quiet. With a noise level as low as 36 dB, it’s quieter than a whisper, so it won’t disturb you or your pets. It’s also got the muscle to handle large spaces, purifying up to 4,200 square feet in just two hours. Whether you're dealing with a sprawling living room or a large bedroom, the PH950 can clear the air.
Breathe easy — get the Turonic PH950 Air Purifier while it's on sale for $279.99.
StackSocial prices subject to change.
TL;DR: Pump iron to a bumpin' beat with noise-cancelling TREBLAB Z2 Over-Ear Headphones, now on sale for $65.99 (reg. $89).
Opens in a new window Credit: TREBLAB TREBLAB Z2 Over-Ear Bluetooth 5.0 Headphones $65.99A workout without music is like a party without a DJ — it's a lot harder to get in the zone. So make sure you have a pair of headphones that fit while you get fit.
The TREBLAB Z2 over-ear headphones are here to spot you with long-lasting battery and active noise cancellation, and they're on sale now for only $65.99 (reg. $89.97).
Why are these headphones so good for the gym?Distractions happen. Maybe the sounds of your squeaky shoes on a hard floor are just a little too much today. Either way, the Z2s have T-Quiet active noise-cancelling technology, and it's like having a personal sound bubble. And you can stay bubbled up for up to 35 hours on a full charge.
If you're all about high-quality sound to power your workouts, the TREBLAB Z2 Bluetooth headphones are about to become your new best gym buddy. The Hyper-HD aptX sound quality means you’re not just hearing your music — you’re living it. Deep bass, crisp highs, and rich tones will make every beat hit just right, keeping you pumped up and pushing through those last few reps.
Durability is key when you’re sweating it out, and the TREBLAB Z2 has you covered. They’re IPX4 water-resistant, which means they can handle your sweat and the occasional splash without missing a beat.
Bluetooth 5.0 keeps your connection smooth and seamless, so you can stay wire-free and hassle-free. Plus, if you need to take a call or chat with your voice assistant, the built-in mic has your back.
Your new gym buddyNo need to cancel your gym membership to make room in the budget for quality workout headphones. Get a pair of TREBLAB Z2 Over-Ear Headphones on sale for just $65.99.
StackSocial prices subject to change.
TL;DR: Visualize your dream home with a lifetime license to Ashampoo 3D CAD Software, now just $39.99.
Opens in a new window Credit: Ashampoo Ashampoo 3D CAD Professional 11: Lifetime License $39.99 at Mashable ShopSo you’ve just bought a new house and are eager to transform the outdated kitchen into a modern culinary haven. Or maybe you’re planning an ambitious home renovation, and a few of those walls just gotta go. In moments like these, having a tool that lets you visualize every detail and make precise adjustments can turn your grand ideas into reality. Or at least keep your grand ideas from becoming a grand pain.
Ashampoo is an easy-to-use 3D CAD tool to help you visualize your complex designs, and right now it's on sale for just $39.99 (reg. $330) for life.
Why would I buy this if I'm not an architect?Homeowners, DIYers, and 3D artists can get some serious mileage out of this CAD software. Visualizing major changes to your house isn't hard when you can create a customizable 3D model of every room. How would the kitchen and living room look as an open plan? Easy to find out.
If these walls could talk, they'd probably approveWhen you start using Ashampoo 3D CAD Professional 11, you’ll quickly find that it’s built to easily handle complex design tasks. If you need to tweak a room layout — maybe adding a partition or changing the size of a window — the advanced wall editing tools let you make those adjustments quickly. Whether you're adding new walls or modifying existing ones, it’s straightforward and doesn't take an architecture degree.
And if you’re managing multiple projects, you can even copy entire floors or buildings between them, which is especially useful if you’re working on similar designs or need to reuse certain elements without starting from scratch.
This 3D design software also comes with a comprehensive object catalog featuring over 250 ready-to-use groups like pre-designed kitchens, garages, and garden houses. If you’re designing a backyard and need to add a garden shed, you can just pick a model from the catalog and drop it into your plan. For more customized designs, the numerical editing tools let you fine-tune dimensions and placements, ensuring everything fits perfectly, whether it's a window, door, or piece of furniture.
Time to work like an architect. Get an Ashampoo lifetime license for just $39.99 (reg. $330).
StackSocial prices subject to change.
TL;DR: Art software can actually be affordable if you get an Adobe Photoshop and Premiere Elements 2023 Lifetime License (Windows) on sale for $99.99 (reg. $149).
Opens in a new window Credit: SoftwareDiscount Adobe Photoshop & Premiere Elements 2023 (Windows) $99.99Being a digital artist can be expensive, even without all the paint and canvas and brush costs. Most art apps have subscription fees that can cost you thousands of dollars throughout your career. If you use Adobe Photoshop and Premiere Elements, this could be the deal you've been waiting for.
Get a lifetime license for Adobe Photoshop and Premiere Elements (Windows) on sale for just $99.99 (reg. $149.99). That's 33% off.
Are Photoshop and Premiere Elements worth it?If you're looking for versatile design apps for adjusting photos, creating digital art, or fine-tuning videos, this is the industry standard.
Photoshop Elements comes with advanced tools to fine-tune brightness, contrast, and saturation. You can push and pull a photo until it matches your creative vision, or grab a stylus and draw something entirely new. Elements also shines with its collage and composition features, allowing you to blend and arrange your images into striking works of art.
The smart library is a game-changer too, automatically tagging and organizing your visuals so you can quickly access and perfect your favorites. Plus, sharing your creations on social media is a breeze, letting you connect with your audience and showcase your talent effortlessly.
When it comes to video, Adobe Premiere Elements 2023 makes editing a smooth and enjoyable experience. Whether you’re splicing together a short film, crafting a dynamic music video, or editing a documentary, the user-friendly interface makes it easy to achieve professional-quality results.
The smart media library helps you stay organized by sorting your footage by events, people, and more, so you spend less time hunting for clips and more time creating. With a range of professional effects, like color corrections and slow-motion, you can give your videos a polished, standout look.
Pay once for Adobe softwareCreate art without a subscription. Get a lifetime license Photoshop and Premiere Elements 2023 for just $99.99.
StackSocial prices subject to change.
Following the massive acclaim from Poor Things, director Yorgos Lanthimos and Academy Award-winning actress Emma Stone teamed up again for Kinds of Kindness. The cast is stacked, which is to be expected at this point. Besides Stone, Kinds of Kindness stars other Poor Things alumni Willem Dafoe and Margaret Qualley, plus Jesse Plemons (Killers of the Flower Moon), Hong Chau (Showing Up), Joe Alwyn (Conversations With Friends), Mamoudou Athie (Elemental), and Hunter Schafer (Cuckoo). This time around, however, Lanthimos shifts gears away from his mainstream successes (The Favourite, The Lobster). Kinds of Kindness is presented as three short films whose stories are connected only thematically. Whether the new approach pays off is up for debate.
If you missed it in the theaters, the film is officially set to make its streaming debut on Aug. 30. Here's what you need to know about how to watch Kinds of Kindness at home.
What is Kinds of Kindness about?As noted above, Kinds of Kindness is made up of three distinct, but loosely connected absurdist stories. The all-star cast recurs across each story, playing different roles.
The first story, "The Death of R.M.F.," centers around Robert (Plemons) fighting to take back control of his life from his boss Raymond (Dafoe). Raymond controls every aspect of Robert's life, so when he says "no" for the first time, it leads to dire consequences.
Part two, "R.M.F. is Flying," follows Daniel (Plemons), a quiet cop whose wife Liz (Stone) has gone missing. He's reunited with her under bizarre circumstances, leading him to believe she's an imposter.
And last, part three, "R.M.F. Eats a Sandwich," Emily (Stone) and Andrew (Plemons) are investigators for a cult led by Omi (Dafoe) and Aka (Chau). They're searching the country for a prophesied person with the ability to raise people from the dead, but the search leads Emily back to the life she left behind.
The trailer doesn't give much away as far as the plot goes, but it does give you a dose of the bizarre vibes and stellar cast:
Is Kinds of Kindness worth watching?Mashable reviewer Robert Daniels described the film as "prickly, dark" and a return to Lanthimos' "unconventional roots, his older, spikier films like Kinetta and Dogtooth." Critics overall weren't blown away by Kinds of Kindness but didn't hate it either. On Rotten Tomatoes, it received a 72 percent critic rating (as of the time of writing).
Audiences, on the other hand, were completely torn. At the time of writing, the film only has a 49 percent audience rating out of over 100 reviews. Some called it one of the weirdest movies they've ever seen.
"Ultimately, Kinds of Kindness circles the drain as more of a thought experiment," our reviewer adds.
Of course, everyone is different and reviews are subjective. You'll have to watch it for yourself to decide whether Lanthimos' latest work is weird in a good way or just plain weird.
Read our full review of Kinds of Kindness.
Can I watch Kinds of Kindness at home?If you missed Kinds of Kindness in the theater, the bizarre dark comedy is available to buy from digital-on-demand retailers like Prime Video, YouTube, and Apple TV. It will also be available to rent at a later date. If you'd rather wait and stream the film, keep reading for more information.
Here are some of the platforms where you can purchase the film online:
Prime Video — $18.49 to buy for Prime members (save $1.50)
Apple TV — $19.99 to buy
Fandango at Home (Vudu) — $19.99 to buy
YouTube — $19.99 to rent or $24.99 to buy
Google Play — $19.99 to rent or $24.99 to buy
Kinds of Kindness will officially make its streaming debut on Hulu starting Aug. 30. The Searchlight Pictures film will also be available to stream via Hulu on Disney+ for Bundle subscribers. If you're not a Hulu subscriber, you'll be happy to learn that the streamer offers a generous 30-day free trial to newbies. For everyone else, subscriptions start at $7.99 per month, but we've rounded up the best ways you can save on your subscription below.
The best Hulu streaming dealsBest Hulu deal for most people: Hulu annual subscription Opens in a new window Credit: Hulu Hulu (with ads) annual subscription $79.99 per year (save 16%) Get DealWhile the $7.99 per month streaming cost isn't terrible, it could be cheaper. By subscribing to a Hulu with ads annual plan, you can save 16% and pay just $6.67 per month instead. Of course, you'll have to pay the full cost of $79.99 upfront. But it certainly beats the $95.98 you'd pay by dishing out monthly payments. Plus, you might get lucky and save yourself from inevitable price hikes for a year.
Best bundle deal: Get Hulu and Disney+ for 37% off Opens in a new window Credit: Hulu / Disney+ Duo Basic bundle: Hulu and Disney+ with ads $9.99 per month (save 37%) Get DealFor more bang for your buck, sign up for the Duo Basic Bundle and get access to the full Disney and Hulu libraries for only $9.99 per month. That's just $2 more than paying for Hulu on its own — or a savings of 37%. Even better, if you're a sports fan, you can also throw ESPN+ into the mix and pay $14.99 per month. That's a savings of 44% on all three services.
Best for students: Hulu Student Opens in a new window Credit: Hulu Hulu Student $1.99 per month (save 75%) Get DealStudents wanting to stream Kinds of Kindness can sign up for Hulu for the very low price of $1.99 per month. That's 75% in savings compared to the full cost of Hulu with ads. Just enter your college email address into SheerID to verify your eligibility and score the deal.
Best for T-Mobile users: Hulu (with ads) included for one year for Go5G Next customers Opens in a new window Credit: T-Mobile / Hulu Hulu (with ads) Free for select T-Mobile customers Get DealIf you're looking to sign up for streaming services for free, one of the best ways is to switch your mobile plan to T-Mobile's Go5G Next plan. Customers on this plan not only get Hulu with ads included but also Netflix and Apple TV+. Already on the Go5G Next plan? Be sure to claim your offer over on the T-Mobile promo page. Just enter your T-Mobile number and account details in order to sign up.
Note: After your initial 12-month promotional period, you'll also have to take action in order to keep your subscription alive.
In the 40 years since a low-budget action film from a relatively unknown filmmaker and crew blasted onto film screens, the Terminator has proven to be an incredibly resilient, if not relentless property. James Cameron and Gale Anne Hurd's creation has spawned five sequels, including the iconic Terminator 2: Judgement Day, the TV series Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles, as well as numerous books and graphic novels, and countless parodies. With all this, one might wonder if there's any life left in this franchise. But if we've learned anything from this science-fiction series, it's that you can't keep a good Terminator down.
Set in 1997 Tokyo, the new Netflix series Terminator Zero embraces hand-drawn animation to tell the story of a brilliant scientist named Malcolm Lee (voiced by André Holland) and Kokoro (voiced by Rosario Dawson), the advanced AI system he has created to decide the fate of humanity. Nuclear war is merely hours away. Can Malcolm convince Kokoro to stop Skynet? Meanwhile, a soldier (voiced by Sonoya Mizuno) from the post-apocalyptic year of 2022 has traveled back in time to save the scientist's children — and maybe the world — from a Terminator (voiced by Timothy Olyphant).
The story itself is compelling, as the scientist tries to justify humanity's existence and avert a nuclear apocalypse. However, it's the emotionally engaging and visually stunning animation that makes Terminator Zero a must-see. To learn more about how Terminator Zero was built, Mashable reached out to the series' showrunner/writer Mattson Tomlin and director Masashi Kudō, who shared insights into the design of their Terminator, the real-world history that informed the series' hardest-hitting imagery, and why it matters this animation is hand-drawn.
Writer Mattson Tomlin found anime to be freeing. Credit: NetflixIt just so happened that Mattson Tomlin was just the guy for the job. His feature-length directorial/screenwriting debut, Mother/Android, is a live-action sci-fi thriller about humans fighting to survive after their robotic helpers turn against them. "Ironically, I was walking around town saying, 'This is not my audition for Terminator,'" he told Mashable in a Zoom interview. "And I got a call on set. 'Hey, they're thinking about doing Terminator as a series, and it's going to be animated. Do you want to meet about that?' And I said, 'Absolutely, I do.'"
Given the talent involved, it's perhaps no surprise the series is visually stunning and narratively engaging. The real revelation is how wrapped up we can get in the perilous fate of characters who are, after all, drawings.
Netflix had already partnered with the Japanese animation studio I/G Productions for the project, as Tomlin explained. "They had all the pieces set up, and they were looking for someone with a fresh take." He added, "I said, 'This is what I want to do [in terms of the story], and this is how I want to do it.' And everyone just said, 'Yeah, man, sounds good. You should do that.' It was a remarkably smooth development process."
Tomlin found the use of anime further freed up the narrative "because you can do anything." He explained, "When you're doing something live-action and you write 'EXT. Night,' then suddenly this is a night shoot. One hundred or 1,000 or 3,000 people are going to have to turn their clocks around. And [if it's a scene with rain], you need a rain machine, and the actor needs a wetsuit. [With anime,] all of that just goes away."
The challenges, Tomlin said, came "around performance and emotion. You take a traditional film like Alfonso Cuarón's Roma, in which you have a lot of static shots — a lot of it is wide [shots], characters at a distance. And then, when you finally have the face, you are just absolutely compelled by that face." With animation, Tomlin acknowledged, "It's a little difficult in terms of performance, because you're not looking at a real human being." So, when his writing called for big emotions, Tomlin had to ask himself: "How long can I push this scene with this kind of emotion before I break my own spell?"
Director Masashi Kudō brought Tomlin's words to vivid life. Credit: NetflixThat's where director Masashi Kudō came in. Translating the Terminator to anime was a challenge that the animator embraced. Kudō, best known for his work on the anime series Bleach, found Tomlin's storytelling was less dialogue-heavy than many Japanese anime scripts.
"[This meant] the human emotions needed to be conveyed through their actions," Kudō told Mashable via email, "which is a style I appreciate." He felt the use of hand-drawn "detailed expressions and performances" could drive the story and engage the viewer. A simple image in the first episode — a young girl sitting alone on a couch, her eyes shimmering with unexpected tears — is so compelling that you'll keep watching just to find out what happened in her mysterious past.
The design work is perhaps most vivid when Kokoro appears to Lee through colorful avatars. The word "Kokoro" roughly means "heart," but in Buddhism it connotes our spiritual essence, tying together mind, wisdom, feeling, and aspiration. To reflect these inspirations, Kudō said, "[My team] incorporated the look of goddesses or heavenly maidens from Japanese mythology. My aim was to give the viewers the impression of a higher spiritual being that humans are in awe of."
Through the work, Kudō's team found that "it was a joy to challenge ourselves by doing something visually interesting, such as making the Kokoro room transform into a fantastical space during the dialogue scenes between Kokoro and Malcolm."
Another challenge was translating the iconic Terminator into an anime character. In Terminator Zero, he is Japanese in appearance and less muscular than his predecessor Arnold Schwarzenegger, but no less frightening.
Kudō said of his Terminator: "I wanted to create an eerie, unsettling vibe that creeps up on you… For the design, we wanted to go for a reptile-ish image with an expressionless face characterized by its small, widely spaced pupils."
The nuclear apocalypse of Terminator Zero comes from Japanese experience. Credit: NetflixMany of us will never forget how terrifying the images of nuclear war were in Terminator 2: A playground full of children incinerated, while a nuclear blast rolled over Los Angeles, obliterating buildings and freeways, and leaving us breathless. Terminator Zero's portrayal is just as visceral and immediate, and just as gravely serious, despite — or perhaps because of — the limitless nature of animation, as well as the story's setting.
The idea of nuclear war resonates differently in Japan, the only country ever to experience the devastation of nuclear weapons. As an American, Tomlin was determined to make clear to his audience that "nuclear war is not fantasy. It's the killer cyborgs at the moment that are kind of a fantasy. But, [nuclear war is] real. And it happened. And it happened there… This is a story that takes place in Japan… [So] there was definitely a desire to take it seriously and not have it feel fun or thoughtless."
Tomlin entrusted Kudō and his animation team "to imbue [the images of nuclear devastation] with that kind of horror because [nuclear war] is still a very vivid concept in Japan, whereas over here in the States, a little bit of it is kind of like it's an idea."
Kudō shared via email, "Most Japanese learn about the horror of nuclear weapons from childhood. The Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum has numerous exhibits and documents vividly documenting the devastation. I believe this shared knowledge within the team helped us create an animated representation with a strong impact."
Hand-drawn animation brings an essentially human touch to Terminator Zero. Credit: NetflixAs the Terminator franchise focuses on the fear of humans being overtaken by computer tech, the hand-drawn animation in Terminator Zero underscores the central message about the value of human creativity.
"We definitely wanted it to feel like humans made it," Tomlin said. "[The animators] are at the top of their game, and I knew they would make it look great. On the writing side, the job was to imbue it with emotion, a real sense of purpose, and stake out why it needs to exist."
With AI moving from science fiction to our everyday life, Tomlin's goal is more relevant than ever before.
We live in an era in which the threat of AI launching a nuclear war is not so immediate. Yet, many creators believe that generative AI apps "devalue human art" by producing a cheap imitation without the craft of human hands. Hollywood writers fear they will one day be hired simply to refine AI scripts, for little pay, rather than developing their own ideas. Voice actors fear their performances could be replicated by an AI program, which would then replace their labor and destroy their source of income. Already, AI programs are being trained on visual artist's copyrighted work "without credit and compensation." Musicians, as well, have argued that AI's widespread adoption "threatens the livelihood" of working artists, by replacing their voices and musicianship with a digital simulation. Dazzled by the novelty and power of AI, we now risk casting off and forgetting the wonders that the human imagination can achieve when creators have a chance to develop their own talents and express their emotions.
And so it's especially thrilling to see how Terminator Zero puts real storytellers and their craft front and center. An emotionally driven narrative along with vivid, hand-drawn animation, enhanced judiciously with digital technology, makes a strong and compelling case for trusting human creators to use their skills and imagination with total freedom. The results can be absolutely stunning, as they are in Terminator Zero, revealing what human imagination and human hands are capable of building.
The Mini is a bite-sized version of The New York Times' revered daily crossword. While the crossword is a lengthier experience that requires both knowledge and patience to complete, The Mini is an entirely different vibe.
With only a handful of clues to answer, the daily puzzle doubles as a speed-running test for many who play it.
So, when a tricky clue disrupts a player's flow, it can be frustrating! If you find yourself stumped playing The Mini — much like with Wordle and Connections — we have you covered.
SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on MashableHere are the clues and answers to NYT's The Mini for Thursday, August 29, 2024:
AcrossThrows, as a fishing lineThe answer is casts.
The answer is alpha.
The answer is pluot.
The answer is rinse.
The answer is inked.
The answer is capri.
The answer is allIn.
The answer is spunk.
The answer is those.
The answer is sated.
If you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.
Featured Video For You The Wordle Strategy used by the New York Times' Head of GamesAre you also playing NYT Strands? See hints and answers for today's Strands.
Not the day you're after? Here's the solution to yesterday's Mini Crossword.
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