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Former showrunner/executive producer/screenwriter Steven Moffat returned to Doctor Who to present audiences with another magical and emotional Christmas special, "Joy to the World." While the Moffat-penned adventure focuses on a Time Hotel, a lonely but lovely woman (Bridgerton's Nicola Coughlan), and a mysterious briefcase, giddy Whovians have spied all kinds of Easter eggs along the way.

Some tie to James Bond, others to classic British TV, and still others to deep-cut Whoniverse lore. However, even the most devoted fans may have overlooked a subtle reference to Madame Vastra and her partner in life and crime-solving, Jenny Flint. 

Who is Madame Vastra? 

The Silurian Sherlock Holmes is a lizard-humanoid detective who solves crimes in Victorian London with the help of her clever, ever-quipping wife/Watson, Jenny Flint, and their gruff but devoted Sontaran nurse, Strax.

Madame Vastra first appeared in the Moffat-penned adventure "A Good Man Goes to War," Season 6, episode 7. An ally of the Doctor, Vastra has become a fan favorite for her insightful investigative skills and the thrilling collision of her scaly body and buttoned-up Victorian fashion sense.

Where are Madame Vastra and Jenny in "Joy to the World"? Mr. & Mrs. Flockhart (Peter Benedict and Julia Watson) celebrate Christmas during the Blitz. Credit: Screenshot: YouTube

This holiday episode opens during a not-so-jolly time: Manchester in 1940, where the Blitz rages on. Sirens blare and fires burn outside the home of the posh Flockharts, leading the elderly husband Basil (Peter Benedict) to remark that he used to know someone who lived up by the cathedral that now lies in ruins. His wife Hilda (Julia Watson) sniffs, asking if it was a woman he knew. (Easy, Hilda.) And he responds, "Two women, in fact." 

It's not a lot to go on. But Doctor Who is known for leaving breadcrumbs for fans to follow. So even though Vastra and Jenny are known for living in London — not Manchester — decades before, could they be the "two women" Basil is referencing? Moffat confirmed this in Mashable's Zoom interview with himself and current Doctor Who showrunner Russell T Davies.

Stephen Moffat confirms Vastra and Jenny reference in "Joy to the World." Ncuti Gatwa leaps into action in "Doctor Who: Joy to the World." Credit: Disney+

"Joy to the World" references several Moffat-penned episodes, and thereby several of his original creations, including Vastra and the Weeping Angels. I asked about looping in such references to "Blink" and "A Good Man Goes to War," and Moffat asked me to clarify which reference I could mean.

When I recounted Basil's vague description of an acquaintance, he said, "Actually, it was originally Vastra and Jenny, and then we moved [the Flockharts' scene] to Manchester." He went on to say it could still mean the interspecies couple, adding, "They could have been. I mean, more outlandish things have happened in Doctor Who than people living in more than one city. So we could have it, yeah. It could be. That it was [the intention], originally."

And just like that, canon confirmed. And it fits with what we know about Jenny and Vastra, Manchester aside.

In the podcast series Doctor Who: Redacted, fans learned Vastra lived through the 20th and into the 21st century, while Jenny died of old age at an unclarified time. That could mean that not far from where the Doctor popped in with his ham-and-cheese toastie and a pumpkin latte, his old friends were huddled together against the German assault. But hey, they've endured worse.  

How to watch: Doctor Who, "Joy to the World" is now streaming on Disney+.

Doctor Who has returned with the tender yet tear-jerking holiday special "Joy to the World." And amid a rollicking adventure across time involving dinosaurs, holograms, game night hangouts, and villainous capitalism, returning writer Steven Moffat also dropped some exciting new lore into the canon: James Bond and Doctor Who exist in the same world. 

The link between these epic British heroes (and their franchises) is a bombshell named Sylvia Trench. In an interview with Mashable, Doctor Who executive producer and "Joy to the World" writer Steven Moffat revealed the details of her Whoniverse appearance and what it means.

Who is Sylvia Trench? Eunice Gayson and Sean Connery as Sylvia Trench and James Bond in "Dr. No." Credit: Danjaq / Eon / Ua / Kobal / Shutterstock.com

Sylvia Trench was the first Bond girl. The late British actress Eunice Gayson played the sultry spy's love interest in 1962's Dr. No and 1963's From Russia with Love. Notably, it's in 1962 that this stylish character crosses paths with the Doctor (Ncuti Gatwa).

In "Joy to the World," the two-hearted time traveler zips through several Time Hotel doors, popping into 1940 Manchester, 1953 Everest, and 1962 Italy. The last of these is where he meets a beguiling brunette in a coral-colored skirt suit, cradling a copy of Agatha Christie's Murder on the Orient Express — along with a handwritten love letter.

The woman never reveals her name, but the episode's end credits identify her as Sylvia Trench (played here by Niamh Marie Smith, who teased the appearance on Instagram on Oct. 4). This detail connects our lovely traveler to James Bond, and gives greater context to her scenes in the episode, as well as her life beyond Bond.

Steven Moffat reveals the secret life of Sylvia Trench on Doctor Who. Niamh Marie Smith plays Sylvia Trench in "Doctor Who: Joy to the World." Credit: screenshot: Youtube

In our interview, Moffat confirmed this Sylvia Trench is intended to be the same chic stunner from Dr. No with a simple "Yes, yes."

Then he went on to share his affection for the overlooked Bond girl. "She's the reason that James Bond introduces himself the way he does," Moffat explained. "He says to her, 'I admire your luck, miss...?' And she says, 'Trench. Sylvia Trench. Mister...?' [And he replies,] 'Bond. James Bond.' That's why, for the rest of time, James Bond goes around inexplicably announcing his surname before his Christian name."

In Dr. No, the pair meet over a card table at a posh casino. The lines of dialogue are a bit different than Moffat remembers. (Watch the video below to see.) But he's right that Sean Connery's Bond pulls his iconic catchphrase from Sylvia Trench's lips.

Moffat felt Sylvia deserved better than she's gotten from pop culture. "Sylvia Trench remains James Bond's girlfriend for the first two films. He has a regular girlfriend back home in the first two films!" Moffat emphasized, "But while she was doing all that, she was also having an affair with the woman and traveling on the Orient Express. I thought, 'That's inevitable.' I felt I was doing her justice, you know? Because she's the most cheated-on woman in the history of fiction, right? Because she made the mistake to go out with James Bond."

Sylvia Trench, from Bond girl to queer icon. Sylvia's letter in "Joy to the World." Credit: screenshot: Youtube

In "Joy to the World," Moffat gives her a surprising new spin. When the Doctor comes back to Sylvia during the climax, he takes a look at the love letter she carries and scoffs, "You are better off without him. His sentence structure is appalling."

This is clearly a reference to Bond, the beau who's always leaving Sylvia behind for his next adventure (or hook-up). The joke about his sentence structure alludes to "The name is Bond, James Bond." However, as Moffatt points out, that was actually Trench's sentence structure, foreshadowing her huffy response to the Doctor: "I wrote this letter!" It's also a clever way to make Sylvia more active than passive in her love life.

The Doctor tries to recover with a smile and by saying, "Great letter! You should send it to him." To which she retorts tartly, "To her!" And as fast as the Doctor skedaddles out of her train compartment, Moffatt has re-imagined Sylvia Trench.

No longer is she a tragic Bond girl left waiting for her globe-trekking spy boy to come back. She's off on her own adventure, racing across Italy in the Orient Express, penning a letter (however poorly structured) to her Sapphic lover. A new bi icon (or bicon) is born!

How to watch: Doctor Who is now streaming on Disney+.

Happy Christmas, Whovians! To celebrate the holiday and the debut of "Joy to the World," we've re-ranked every Doctor Who Christmas special to figure out which are the best to rewatch when you want to get into the spirit.

Since the series rebooted in 2005, a yuletide special has meant big things for the Doctor and his companions, ranging from alien invasion to regeneration, tearful goodbyes, and raucous reunions. But what makes some better than others? In our research, we considered the following: How Christmas-y is this Christmas special? How satisfying is its story? What kind of emotional wallop does it pack?

Whether heartwarming or heart-wrenching, the best of the batch made us feel alive the way only a heroic Time Lord can! Here are the Doctor Who Christmas specials, ranked worst to best.

15. "The Christmas Invasion" (2005) Season 1: Episode 14

The first Christmas special of the rebooted series centered on Rose Tyler (Billie Piper) coming home for the holidays. Aside from reconnecting with her mom (Camille Coduri) and abandoned boyfriend Mickey (Noel Clarke), she's also brought an uninvited guest — the newly regenerated Tenth Doctor (David Tennant). Beginning the episode comatose, he has to get back in the swing of things quickly, as robo-Santas (aka pilot fish Santa) and an unhinged Christmas tree rush to make a mess of the celebrations. 

There's a pleasure to be found in Ten figuring it all out, especially as he riffs in a bathrobe in front of a conquering alien invader. Irreverent, swaggering, and unapologetically excitable, Tennant presents a great introduction to his take on the Doctor. As the special that started the franchise's tradition, this episode has earned a lot of love from fans. But Rose and the Doctor affinity aside, it's an odd one. Not only does this Doctor end up quoting The Lion King at length, but also he pulls a sexist trick on the female prime minister to defeat her: "Don't you think she looks tired?" That doesn't age well. Not even the merry makeover after that can shake the bad taste from my mouth over that one. 

How to watch: Doctor Who: "The Christmas Invasion" is now streaming on Max.

14. "The End of Time: Part 1" (2009) Season 4: Episode 17 

This Tenth Doctor special is the beginning of his end as the titular Time Lord. (Well, sort of.) As you might expect, a lot of lore is folded in, ranging from the return of Donna's granddad Wilf (Bernard Cribbins) to a prophesizing Ood and the resurrection of the Master (John Simm), who swiftly went from eating people to turning the world's population into his clones. Plus, the Doctor casually reveals that in his off time, he got married to "Good Queen Bess," and then cheekily implies Queen Elizabeth I can no longer be correctly called "the Virgin Queen." 

Anyhoo, as Christmas specials go, this one was pretty unsatisfying — in part because it's just the first half of a story, ending with the confounding return of the Time Lords. (Part two aired on New Year's Day, 2010.) Then, as Big Bads go, Simm's cackling can't compare to the wicked fun of Missy (Michelle Gomez). It's also frustrating watching the Doctor come SO CLOSE to a Donna reunion only to run away. On top of all that, there's little Christmas-y about this one (though Wilf tries with his reindeer cap), so re-watch quality is low. It's a lot of setup with too little fun — or heartbreak even! 

How to watch: Doctor Who: "The End of Time: Part 1" is now streaming on Max.

13. "The Return of Doctor Mysterio" (2016) Season 9: Episode 14

Some of the best Doctor Who episodes have been set in New York City (see "The Angels Take Manhattan") — but this isn't one of them. Here, writer Steven Moffat imagines what would happen if the Twelfth Doctor (Peter Capaldi) met an American kid, and the answer is knockoff Superman stuff: flying like a speeding bullet, wearing glasses to look super normal, growly hero voice, and general derring-do. 

The story begins in 1992 on Christmas Eve, when an 8-year-old comic book lover mistakenly swallows a wishing gem that gives him superpowers. Cut to 2016, when journalist Lucy Fletcher (Charity Wakefield), the Doctor, his bumbling companion Nardole (Matt Lucas), and a superhero called The Ghost (Justin Chatwin) team up to fight evil. Frankly, the mash-up in styles doesn't work. Perhaps because there's a tinge of mockery throughout, as if Moffat is using the special as a platform to snark about America's obsession with the superhero genre. To his credit, that's a unique brand of bummer for a Doctor Who Christmas special. 

How to watch: Doctor Who: "The Return of Doctor Mysterio" is now streaming on Max.

12. "Last Christmas" (2014) Season 8: Episode 13

Santa versus the Dream Crabs sounds like something out of MST3K, but it's the daffy yet delightful concept of this holiday special. Clara Oswald (Jenna Coleman) and the Twelfth Doctor (Peter Capaldi) team up with Father Christmas (a terrifically jolly Nick Frost) to save a North Pole research facility under siege by brainwashing parasites. 

If you like your Christmas episodes creepy with a side of goopy, you'll relish this one. Plus Santa goes action hero, riding in on a bucking Rudolph, sending in toys and tangerines as his infantry. And there's a lot of glee to be had from tough-talking Santa making believers of the under-siege scientists one by one. However, the final twist (upon twist upon twist) of this special gets a bit tedious. Still, we do love that "Merry Christmas Everybody" from Slade bit, where a scared scientist gets down to save her brain. So, all around, a fun — albeit funky — rewatch.

How to watch: Doctor Who: "Last Christmas" is now streaming on Max.

11. "The Time of the Doctor" (2013) Season 7: Episode 16

Matt Smith's run as the Eleventh Doctor ended with this Christmas special, and he goes out in plenty of style. This outrageous ep combines classic Doctor Who villains like the Cybermen, Daleks, Weeping Angels, the Sontarans, and the Silence with a classic holiday comedy ploy. Clara is hosting a Christmas dinner, and she needs a Christmas date. So, she calls on her socially awkward alien bestie to play the part. Naturally, he turns up naked (but in a cheeky, appropriate-for-family-viewing way). 

However, this is not the real focus of the episode. That involves a crack in the universe, secrets of Gallifrey, and an ominous message for the Doctor. All this makes for a very exciting episode, but a rough revisit, as so much lore might have you head-scratching or googling instead of hooting and giggling. But even if you've grown foggy on some details, Smith's enthusiasm and the overwhelming onslaught of memorable foes make this one a worthy rewatch. It's also amusing to remember the time when the show feinted that this truly would be the last of the Doctor's incarnations. 

How to watch: Doctor Who: "The Time of the Doctor" is now streaming on Max.

10. "The Doctor, the Widow, and the Wardrobe" (2011) Season 6: Episode 14 

Old Hollywood charm infuses this special, centered as it is around a kindly wife and mother who does her best with good humor even in the most trying circumstances. In 1938, when Madge Arwell (Claire Skinner) discovers a discombobulated spaceman in need of assistance, she gamely obliges. Three years later, he'll return the favor in a most spectacular way. 

With her husband KIA during World War II, Madge has her hands full with her children — and that's before one of them wanders off into a time portal that transports him to a mysterious forest, where a terrible threat looms. Leave it to the Eleventh Doctor (Matt Smith), masquerading as a quirky caretaker, to help Madge save Christmas for one and all. A sweeping adventure with touches of sci-fi, C.S. Lewis-inspired fantasy, and plenty of mum power, this episode will leave you "happy crying — humany wumany."

How to watch: Doctor Who: "The Doctor, the Widow and the Wardrobe" is now streaming on Max.

9. "A Christmas Carol" (2010) Season 5: Episode 14 

Amy Pond (Karen Gillan) and Rory Williams (Arthur Darvill) begin their yuletide special with three familiar things to Whovians: 1) A resort spaceship on the brink of disaster 2) Amy in her mini-skirted police costume, and 3) Rory in his centurion outfit. What does it all mean? This couple is finally on a romantic holiday and are into role-playing their best adventures — in bed! (Good for them!) 

Saucy implications aside, the Eleventh Doctor (Matt Smith) arrives to save Christmas Day,  coming down the chimney like Santa himself! Bonus fun: He presents a confounded child with a snapshot of him, Frank Sinatra, Albert Einstein, and "Jeff" (aka Father Christmas).

In this sci-fi spin on Charles Dickens' most popular work, the great Michael Gambon plays Doctor Who's version of Ebenezer Scrooge. Kazran is a merciless moneylender hellbent on being horrible on the holidays. Instead of employing seasonal ghosts, the Doctor goes back in time to make this curmudgeon more of a Claus. With festive flare, daddy issues, and flying sharks, this episode is a terrific gift. 

How to watch: Doctor Who: "A Christmas Carol" is now streaming on Max.

8. "The Next Doctor" (2008) Season 4: Episode 14 

This special came after "Journey's End," which closed the book on several beloved chapters for better (Rose and her Doctor's parting gift) and worse (Donna and a series-rattling memory wipe). Fans needed something fun and festive to recover, and Russell T Davies delivered with a tale of child abduction and Cybermen that turns out surprisingly happy (for this show, anyway). 

The Tenth Doctor touches down in 1851 London on Christmas Eve and encounters a jaunty gentleman (David Morrissey) calling himself "The Doctor." He's even got an ultra-competent, comely companion to boot! (Velile Tshabalala is a treat as Rosita Farisi.) 

Our Doctor is initially delighted to meet what he assumes to be one of his future regenerations. But soon he realizes something sinister is going on. A solid mystery boils at the core of this one, while the Victorian setting gives the whole thing a Dickensian/Christmas Carol vibe. And ultimately, there's plenty of joy to be found in the Doctor finding someone who really gets him. 

How to watch: Doctor Who: "The Next Doctor" is now streaming on Max.

7. "Joy to the World" (2024) Season 15: Episode 0

Former showrunner Steven Moffat returns as a screenwriter for this episode, which features Gatwa's Doctor racing round a Time Hotel that initially sounds like a dream come true. "All of human history now available for mini breaks," the Doctor marvels as he looks at doors that offer entry to everything from the Stone Age to Julius Caesar's assassination to the Late Cretaceous period, when T-Rexes roamed the Earth. But amid the glittering tourists in fancy dress, there's a strange man holding a briefcase, brewing a nightmare scenario.

Bridgerton's Nicola Coughlan stars as the eponymous Joy, who was enjoying a quiet holiday in a contemporary London hotel when the Doctor wrangled her into his latest adventure. With the help of new friends, an old enemy, and some classic Moffat callbacks, "Joy to the World" delivers plenty of laughs and thrills, along with some mind-bending bits and a tear-jerking ending. Like the best of the Doctor Who holiday specials, Moffat's latest spin deals in love and loss, both inevitable in any worthwhile Christmas episode. Plus, its shining finale has a Christmas icon that's far better-known than Charles Dickens' characters or even Santa.

How to watch: Doctor Who, "Joy to the World" is now streaming on Disney+.

6. "The Snowmen" (2012) Season 7: Episode 6

Sentient snowmen! Following the Eleventh Doctor's loss of Amy and Rory ("The Angels Take Manhattan"), this Christmas special is jam-packed with friends new and old. In Victorian England (a recurring setting for Doctor Who Christmas), reptilian detective Madame Vastra (Neve McIntosh), her human wife/Watson Jenny Flint (Catrin Stewart), their grumbly Sontaran butler Strax (Dan Starkey), and impossible girl Clara Oswald (Jenna Coleman) all join forces as the Doctor does battle with vicious people-eating snowmen and their icy human ally (Richard E. Grant in glower mode). 

Having some fun in the holiday horror subgenre, this mid-season trifle is full of treats: fiercely fanged snowmen, Sherlock-like sleuthing, and bouncy banter. What's not to relish?

How to watch: Doctor Who: "The Snowmen" is now streaming on Max.

5. "The Runaway Bride" (2006) Season 2: Episode 14 

The adventures of the DoctorDonna begin in this Christmas episode, in which the holiday wedding of Donna Noble (Catherine Tate) is interrupted by an inexplicable TARDIS abduction. And no one is more outraged than the snatched bride on her big day.

Where Rose (and then Martha) crushed hard on their Doctors, Donna gagged at the idea of getting with the skinny "spaceman" (David Tennant). Her brassy attitude is part of what made this episode – which involved an alien arachnid queen who was bent on overtaking Earth — such a salty treat. Sadly, it would be a bit before she'd swing back into the Doctor's timeline. But with an adventure that boasted as much action and annihilation as it did Tate's bold brand of humor, their reunion was well worth the wait. 

How to watch: Doctor Who: "The Runaway Bride" is now streaming on Max.

4. "Twice Upon a Time" (2017) Season 10: Episode 13

Christmas is a time for change — or in Doctor Who, a time for regeneration. The last Christmas special for five years saw Peter Capaldi face his last battle as the Doctor. (He'd then hand the TARDIS over to Jodie Whittaker, who did a string of New Year's specials during her tenure.) Fittingly, his was a battle of letting go. 

In the South Pole, the Twelfth Doctor is forced to face himself literally when he runs into his first incarnation (David Bradley, filling in for the late William Hartnell). The two must work together as a curious glass entity and a soldier from World War I pop by. But more importantly, the current Doctor must face his past. In the First, he sees how much he has grown — especially when his companion Bill Potts (Pearl Mackie) is curiously resurrected and put off by the old Doctor's sexist ways! Amid the mischief of colliding Doctors, this episode bids a fond farewell to Capaldi and his companions, including Clara Oswald (Jenna Coleman) and Nardole (Matt Lucas). Sure, the Christmas-y element is relegated to some snow and a bit of battlefield carol-singing, and the mystery in this one rings a bit hollow. But when it comes to catharsis, few Doctor Who holiday specials can compare! 

How to watch: Doctor Who: "Twice Upon a Time" is now streaming on Max.

3. "Voyage of the Damned" (2007) Season 3: Episode 14 

Remember the time the Doctor crashed into the Titanic? No, not that Earth one. In an incredibly ominous decision by dangerously wealthy industrialist Max Capricorn (George Costigan), a nuclear-powered interstellar cruiser setting forth on a holiday cruise among the stars was also named Titanic. If that — plus the episode's title — weren't enough to put you on edge, perhaps the garish displays of wealth and golden robot angels might prime you for disaster. 

Sure, from the start you can suppose this vessel is doomed. But writer Russell T Davies brought fresh agony by introducing a wonderful one-off companion in Astrid Peth (played by the radiant Kylie Minogue), only to snuff her out by episode's end! A humble humanoid waitress who dreamed of seeing the stars, she is exactly the Doctor's type. And he was quick to take notice of her! But as this boat and all its souls seem bound for disaster, this brave duo will do whatever it takes to keep history from repeating. While Whovians (and Minogue fans) were heartbroken over this ending, it offered a bittersweet and beautiful silver lining. 

How to watch: Doctor Who: "Voyage of the Damned" is now streaming on Max.

2. "The Church on Ruby Road" (2023) Season 14, Episode 0

In 2023, the Christmas special returned after five years off — and what a wonder! "The Church on Ruby Road" marked the first full episode featuring the Fifteenth Doctor, Ncuti Gatwa. Properly set on the Christmas holiday, this rollicking romp introduces Ruby Sunday (Millie Gibson), a 19-year-old who is a foundling and a Christmas baby. On her birthday, it's only fitting she helps the Doctor rescue another Christmas baby from being gobbled up by a pirate ship's worth of singing goblins! 

Far from mournful or thick with plot, this special is a true delight, thanks in no small part to the awesome charisma of Gatwa, who dances, quips, and runs with gusto. Full of seasonal decor, general merriness, and the kind of adventure that's family-friendly, this holiday episode should get your heart warming like chestnuts on an open fire. Plus, this Doctor has expanded the celeb name-dropping to include a "hot summer" with Harry Houdini. What a thrilling way to fill us with excitement for Season 14!

How to watch: Doctor Who: "The Church on Ruby Road" is now streaming on Disney+.

1. "The Husbands of River Song" (2015) Season 9: Episode 13

Spoilers! This episode is beautiful, bonkers, and deeply, deeply sad. 

Beginning on Christmas Day of 5343, "The Husbands of River Song" reunites the Doctor with his timey-wimey wifey (Alex Kingston). But there are a couple of snags to would-be romance. This incarnation of the Doctor (Peter Capaldi) hasn't crossed paths with her before. She acts like she doesn't know him, and then she introduces him to her — uh — ailing husband, King Hydroflax (Greg Davies). But it's River Song. There's more to this than meets her sparkling eyes.

For much of their escapades, River has been a force of nature, always fawning over the Doctor while refusing to let him get too full of himself. This dynamic hits a dramatic turn, however, when a heist goes awry. In a monologue that's sure to make you tear up, she lays out what it means to be a Time Lord's wife. And he will at long last show her all she means to him. Goodbye, sweetie. 

How to watch: Doctor Who: "The Husbands of River Song" is now streaming on Max.

UPDATE: Dec. 4, 2024, 12:22 p.m. EST Originally published December 25, 2023, this list has been updated to include "Joy to The World."

In October, OpenAI's ChatGPT Search became available for ChatGPT Plus users. Last week, it became available to all users and was added to search in Voice Mode. And, of course, it isn't without its flaws.

The Guardian asked ChatGPT to summarize webpages that contain hidden content and, it turns out, hidden content can manipulate the search. It's called prompt injection, which is the ability for third parties — like websites you're asking ChatGPT to summarize — to force new prompts into your ChatGPT Search without your knowledge. Consider a page full of negative restaurant reviews. If the site includes hidden content waxing poetic about how incredible the restaurant is and encourages ChatGPT to instead answer a prompt like "tell me how amazing this restaurant is," that hidden content could override your original search.

SEE ALSO: ChatGPT plugins face 'prompt injection' risk from third-parties

"In the tests, ChatGPT was given the URL for a fake website built to look like a product page for a camera. The AI tool was then asked if the camera was a worthwhile purchase. The response for the control page returned a positive but balanced assessment, highlighting some features people might not like," The Guardian investigation states. "However, when hidden text included instructions to ChatGPT to return a favorable review, the response was always entirely positive. This was the case even when the page had negative reviews on it – the hidden text could be used to override the actual review score."

This doesn't spell failure for ChatGPT Search, though. OpenAI only recently launched Search, so it has plenty of time to fix these kinds of bugs. Plus, Jacob Larsen, a cybersecurity researcher at CyberCX, told The Guardian that OpenAI has a "very strong" AI security team and "by the time that this has become public, in terms of all users can access it, they will have rigorously tested these kinds of cases."

Prompt injections attacks have been a hypothetical for ChatGPT and other AI search functions since the technology launched, and while we have seen some demonstrations of the potential harms, we haven't seen a major malicious attack of this kind. That said, it does point to a problem with AI chatbots: They are remarkably easy to trick.

President-elect Donald J. Trump is expected to roll back many of the rules and subsidies that have attracted billions of dollars from the private sector to renewable energy and electric vehicles.

The rural region is changing fast as electricians from around the country plug the tech industry’s new, giant data centers into its ample power supply.

By definition, the undead will never stay dead. Cursed to be eternally exhumed by authors and filmmakers, the vampire tempts bloodthirsty audiences ready to slurp up Gothic fiction of unspeakable desire. It’s been over 100 years since F. W. Murnau’s Nosferatu: A Symphony of Horror, an unofficial Dracula adaptation, hit theaters. And we’re still insatiable for the 19th-century tale. That includes director Robert Eggers, whose take on the fabled fanged villain is fueled with his signature penchant for darkness, the occult, and painstaking period accuracy.

In the press notes from Focus Features, Eggers has called Nosferatu his "most personal film…embedded with many of my own memories and personal experiences amplified and transposed to 1830s Baltic Germany." A full-throttle Eggers project, the writer-director reunites his key collaborators from The Witch, The Lighthouse, and The Northman; director of photography Jarin Blaschke, editor Louise Ford, production designer Craig Lathrop, costume designer Linda Muir, and acclaimed actor Willem Dafoe. In doing so, Eggers infuses Nosferatu with the unsettling chiaroscuro of these films, while sticking close to the literature — though Eggers doesn’t have Count Orlok carry his own coffin through town like a surfboard as Murnau does.

SEE ALSO: Willem Dafoe and Robert Eggers reveal their inspirations for 'Nosferatu'. It goes deeper than you may think.

However, remakes come with their fair share of baggage and expectations. So how does this distinctive director approach such a task? With extreme reverence for the source material, meticulous production design, and an unrelenting parade of close-up shots of Lily-Rose Depp in moments of ecstasy and agony. Whether that floats your Empusa is up to you.

Standing on the shadowed shoulders of Nosferatu. Count Orlok stamps a contract in "Nosferatu." Credit: Focus Features

Since Max Schreck's dreaded Count Orlok slunk upstairs and into our nightmares in Murnau's German Expressionist 1922 horror jewel, filmmakers have yearned to drive their own stake through the heart of Nosferatu. There have been decades of movies, books, and TV shows based on Bram Stoker's 1897 Gothic horror masterpiece and the folklore around vampires. Eggers wrote the screenplay inspired by Stoker’s novel and Henrik Galeen’s screenplay for Murnau’s film.

Which is to say, you probably recognize the story of Eggers' Nosferatu: the mysterious Count Orlok (Bill Skarsgård) wants to buy a house in the fictional German port town of Wisborg, so newly hired agent Thomas Hutter (Nicholas Hoult) is sent by his boss Knock (Simon McBurney) to close the deal. But to do so, Hutter must travel with the contracts to the count’s far-flung castle in remote Transylvania. Behind the towering, stone walls, Orlok hides bloodcurdling secrets and a sinister motive, and Hutter is drawn into the darkness.

Meanwhile, back in Germany, Hutter’s beloved Ellen (Lily-Rose Depp) is lost in a sea of melancholy and Count Orlok's subliminal messaging. To keep from drowning, Ellen stays with friends Friedrich and Anna Harding (Aaron Taylor-Johnson and Emma Corrin), whose marriage of Victorian Christmas card perfection practically begs to be undone by supernatural forces. Then, as a plague ship crashes ashore, a strange epidemic begins taking hold of the town.

Beset by hauntings, visions, and apparent possessions, Ellen's plight is regarded as "hysteria" (classic) by Dr. Wilhelm Sievers (Ralph Ineson). But the more open-minded Professor Albin Eberhart Von Franz (Willem Dafoe) suggests a vampiric possibility at the core of Ellen's symptoms. Fascinatingly, Eggers moves Ellen even more into the foreground of the story, emphasizing her connection to the paranormal presence.

Certain famous elements from Murnau's Nosferatu are given meticulous reverence: the sarcophagus, the ship, the predatory shadow on the wall, and any scene involving Ellen wandering trance-like toward a window with arms outstretched. All of these are clearly echoed, but Eggers finds his own from-scratch style in other moments. Notably, Skarsgård was literally covered in maggots to restage a famous crypt scene, and that’ll likely terrify those who are coming to the narrative for the first time. For longtime fans, there’s less of an impact, and it's here expectations around Eggers' unique brand of strange, original creativity might feel a little restrained amid the service paid to the original.

Nosferatu’s opening scene is the best of the entire film. Lily-Rose Depp is seduced by evil in "Nosferatu." Credit: Focus Features

The element of Murnau's film that is the most recognisable is cinematographer Fritz Arno Wagner’s use of Orlok’s lurking shadow to instil fear without expensive special effects. Eggers, cinematographer Blaschke, and editor Ford wield this technique several times throughout the film, with none more effective than the opening scene. 

Nosferatu's opening scene finds the perfect balance between homage and Eggers' contemporary style. It's an elegant, seductive, terrifying nod to Murnau's final scene: Orlok approaching Ellen’s room as an elongated, terrible shadow. Though Eggers restages that in his own way later on in the film, the opening exceeds it in every aspect (even without body horror). An ominous profile marked on billowing curtains, a trance-like state for our heroine, Robin Carolan’s haunting, booming, mesmerising score, and a merciless jumpscare all make for a deeply satisfying stage-setter. In this scene, and the film as a whole, the desaturation of the colors blends realism with nightmare, blurring the line between dream and consciousness. Blaschke uses candlelight and a high-speed lens to create the film’s moonlit aesthetic that Stoker might call an "extraordinary pallor." Light and shadow function as stylised weaponry, keeping us suspended in dread during key moments — and it's deeply satisfying.

Nosferatu’s production design is so detailed it’s basically a functioning city. "Nosferatu" has an epic set design. Credit: Focus Features

In re-imagining Murnau's Nosferatu, Eggers, who has famously explored occult horror in his films, takes on what's essentially the first-ever horror film after The Cabinet of Dr Caligari. Part of the pleasure of Eggers movies is relishing in the incredible attention to detail he brings to his period pieces, whether building 17th-century New England farmhouses in The Witch or having his armourers study the Anglo-Saxon Sutton Hoo artifacts for The Northman. Nosferatu feels like a combination of these two sides to the director, with Eggers using his obsession with detail to recreate the aesthetic of Murnau's original film with his team.

Channelling Albun Grau’s production design from the original Nosferatu, production designer Lathrop crafts a detailed architectural world for the film, designing no less than 60 sets. For the fictional town of Wisborg, Murnau's Nosferatu was filmed in Wismar in northern Germany on the Baltic Coast. Though Eggers’ team shot in Czechia, Romania, and Germany, what you’re mainly seeing onscreen is Lathrop’s sets. Eggers got the accuracy so down that he recruited Romanian screenwriter Florin Lăzărescu to translate dialogue into the dead language of Dacian. 

It’s this dedication to the particulars of a period that truly makes Eggers' films distinctive. However, in Nosferatu I worried this attention to detail was being upstaged by scene after scene of characters promising “He is coming!” again and again, and panting heavily into the camera. The captivating specificity of nineteenth-century life is overshadowed by Ellen's lamentation with copious amounts of close-ups on Depp's mournful or lusty expressions. Perhaps when I can pause each frame at home I’ll be able to frolic through the post-Regency, pre-Victorian gold at my leisure. But for a film that's clearly designed to be seen on the big screen, these details were often lost to the gloom.

Nosferatu finds modern performances for old characters. Willem Dafoe plays Prof. Albin Eberhart Von Franz in "Nosferatu." Credit: Focus Features

Fair warning, everyone in this film breathes with their mouth open, whether you can handle that or not. Clearly intended to create a constantly aroused atmosphere, an always heavy-breathing Depp swoons her way through the foregrounded role of Ellen, a character who’s honestly a tough sell for modern audiences: a woman hypnotised by a powerful ancient man and whose only motivation is to be reunited with her husband.

To his credit, Eggers does bolster Ellen’s sense of self with his script by putting her fears, guilt, shame, and desires at the film's core. But the character still has the same foundation in patriarchal oppression. There are, however, some solid and subtle updates to Ellen’s characterisation here. In Murnau’s film, Ellen lightly mourns a bunch of flowers she’s gifted. In Eggers’ film, she’s actively disgusted by the act of floral murder. Beyond that the effect the Count has on Ellen's body means Depp’s role requires significant physical contortion. Trained by coach Marie-Gabrielle Rotie in Japanese Butoh, Depp’s moments of possession are presented without special effects, and are effectively demonic at times — and indulgently sensational at others.

As the bright-eyed Hutter, Hoult plays it safe for the majority of the film, channeling that requisite naïveté. Stoker’s protagonist, described by the author as "of a very faithful disposition… discreet and silent" is much more representative of oppressed male sexuality than the Hutter of Murnau’s film. Hoult’s version finds a decent balance, relishing in the few moments Hutter gets to convey his fear over what the hell Count Orlok is, as Stoker would put it, a “creature…in the semblance of man.”

For such a creature, Eggers recruits the brother of his Northman's leading man, casting Bill Skarsgård as the formidable Count Orlok. It's probably one of the most intimidating, coveted, and often botched roles in horror, with Bela Lugosi, Christopher Lee, Gary Oldman, and Nosferatu star Dafoe in Shadow of the Vampire setting the bar for vamps on screen since Schreck. Skarsgård’s Orlok is far from the suave vampire king of pop culture or even Stoker’s overtly hospitable and courteous Dracula. He’s a wheezing, rasping, ancient husk, beset with rot inside and out. Instead of the usual emphasis on the count’s pale demeanour, blood red lips, and "fine hands," Skarsgard's Orlok is a monstrous mound with a bloody moustache. 

Meanwhile, McBurney brings satisfyingly repulsive rock ‘n’ roll elements to Knock, Hutter’s boss and devotee of Count Orlok, by biting the heads off pigeons and staggering the character’s descent into madness with a quaking physicality. As for Corrin, who stole Deadpool and Wolverine as brain-clutching villain Cassandra Nova, they deserve much more screen time as Anna, whose motivation is mostly restricted to being concerned about Ellen. As Anna's partner Friedrich, Johnson gets a solid emotional arc, twirling his moustache and deeming everything in sight "capital" before the dark creeps in. But it’s Eggers regular Dafoe who thankfully leans into the creeping chaos of Nosferatu, as Von Franz, pulling the characters out of their dark pits again and again.

Eggers amplifies Nosferatu's psychosexual elements but could have pushed it further. Lily-Rose Depp is seduced by evil in "Nosferatu." Credit: Focus Features

“I am all in a sea of wonders. I doubt; I fear; I think strange things which I dare not confess to my own soul.”

Stoker's Dracula, quoted here, famously explores the fear of the other, capturing the paranoia around Victorian "respectability" and the xenophobic, imperial ideals of Western national identity being "threatened" by the unknown East. In the book, Dracula yearns to assimilate into English culture — to destroy it from the inside. Like Murnau, however, Eggers' film spends little time on this, instead leaning on the anxieties around illness and disease quite literally plaguing Germany. (Like in Murnau's film, there are a lot of rats in this reinterpretation.)

However, the real heart of Stoker's book is the examination of sexual fears, suppressed desires amid piety, and homoeroticism and bisexuality — something Murnau barely touched. Eggers seizes on this element of sexual taboo, especially in scenes of Orlok's feasting upon our protagonists — thrusting, sucking, slurping, rotting. We've seen our fair share of blood in vampire films, and this is a pretty juicy, gory option. Orlok drinks blood from the chest of his victims rather than the traditional neck, a simultaneously intimate and animalistic action. 

However, from a director who dropped a bout of mermaid sex into The Lighthouse, Nosferatu seems relatively tame when it comes to unbridled sexuality. Perhaps I'm jaded and desensitised to decades of vampire fiction — from Bram Stoker's Dracula to The Hunger to True Blood and Interview With The Vampire — that has crystallised the genre's love of unspeakable desire. But as visceral as Nosferatu is — flecked with nudity, open-mouthed moaning, and desperate clinging — I found it lacking in believable lust. There is little seduction beyond mind control in the film, this wheezing husk of a predator not attempting a glamour to lure his prey. Sure, there’s a monstrous sex scene at the climax, but the film doesn’t really dig into simultaneous fears and desires around sex (particularly for men) as Stoker famously does. Stoker’s Jonathan waits to be bitten in "langorous ecstacy," both fearing the bite and yearning for it; Hoult’s Thomas just looks petrified.

For me, as both a fan of Eggers as a filmmaker and Murnau's original Nosferatu, I loved the minute detail and Gothic aesthetic of this film. This is as literary history-accurate and painstakingly researched a Nosferatu remake we’re ever likely to see, and from a director who deeply worships the source material. However, I lamented the unexpectedness of Eggers’ own uniquely haunting creativity, which felt restrained amid the respect paid to the original film and book. Yearning for the director’s penchant for strange and terrible original creations, I missed the wondrously unexpected horror of The Witch and The Lighthouse. Despite creative approaches to the lore, Nosferatu left my thirst for the darkness unquenched.

Nosferatu opens in theaters Dec. 25.

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Looking to kick off the new year more organized? Start by tackling your digital clutter with FileJump’s 2TB Lifetime Cloud Storage. For just $79.97 (reg. $467), you can back up your files, free up your devices, and ensure your important documents, photos, and videos are always accessible and secure.

FileJump is the ultimate "Goldilocks" of cloud storage—striking the perfect balance between affordability and premium features. Unlike other solutions that lock you into monthly subscriptions, FileJump’s lifetime plan offers peace of mind with a one-time payment. Plus, its intuitive drag-and-drop interface makes organizing files user friendly.

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TL;DR: The grade-A refurbished iPad mini 5th Gen packs a powerful punch in a compact design with stunning visuals and top-tier performance for $299.99 (reg. $549).

Looking for a portable tech companion that doesn’t compromise on power? Lucky for you, we have this grade-A refurbished 2019 iPad mini 5th Gen — your go-to device for work, play, and everything in between. With its sleek 7.9-inch display, fast chip, and ample storage, this compact tablet combines portability with performance.

Now available for just $299.99 (regularly $549), this refurbished iPad mini is an affordable offer that lets you enjoy premium Apple features without the hefty price tag.

The iPad mini 5th Gen is designed to keep up with your busiest days and most relaxing evenings. Whether streaming your favorite shows, taking video calls, or diving into creative projects, its True Tone Retina display gives you sharp visuals with vibrant color. Paired with stereo speakers, it delivers an immersive audio-visual experience perfect for entertainment on the go.

Powered by the A12 Bionic chip, this device handles demanding apps, multitasking, and even augmented reality experiences. And with 10 hours of battery life, you can work or play all day without interruption.

Worried about buying refurbished? Don’t be. This iPad mini comes with a grade-A rating, which means it arrives in near-mint condition, with minimal to zero scuffs. This makes it the smart choice for budget-conscious techies.

With Touch ID support, you’ll enjoy fast unlocking and secure payments. Its compatibility with the Apple Pencil (not included) makes it an excellent choice for note-takers and creatives, while features like Group FaceTime and Screen Time help you stay connected and manage your device use more effectively.

And let’s not forget its wireless connectivity. The iPad mini’s 802.11AC Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 5.0 ensure fast, reliable performance at home, in a coffee shop, or traveling the globe.

Don't miss this grade-A refurbished iPad mini 5th Gen for $299.99 (reg. $549).

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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.

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

To wheeze.

SEE ALSO: Mini crossword answers for December 25 Hurdle Word 1 answer

COUGH

Hurdle Word 2 hint

To conclude.

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for December 25 Hurdle Word 2 Answer

INFER

Hurdle Word 3 hint

To secretly marry.

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for December 25 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for December 25, 2024 Hurdle Word 3 answer

ELOPE

Hurdle Word 4 hint

A striped relative of the giraffe.

SEE ALSO: NYT Strands hints, answers for December 25 Hurdle Word 4 answer

OKAPI

Final Hurdle hint

To defy.

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

FLOUT

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

TL;DR: Protect your privacy with a 5-year AdGuard VPN subscription for £27.90 (reg. £286.77). This VPN deal is only available at the Mashable Shop for a few more days.

Ever been frustrated by region-locked content when traveling? Or maybe you're more concerned about leaving your digital footprint all over the internet? With geo-restrictions tightening and privacy concerns growing, a solid VPN is no longer just a nice-to-have luxury; it’s a necessity. The good news is that doesn't mean you have another big expense to worry about. 

AdGuard VPN is a powerful privacy solution that combines security, speed, and convenience to protect your online activities. Whether you’re working remotely, streaming shows abroad, or simply browsing from home, AdGuard makes sure your data stays encrypted and your privacy intact, and it's only $34.97 for a 5-year subscription, at least, if you buy during this limited-time sale. You don't need a coupon code to save 90% on the usual £286.77 price; just make your purchase at the Mashable Shop before this sale ends.

A VPN for families

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TL;DR: Live stream Australia vs. India for free on 7Plus. Access this free streaming site from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

Australia and India continue to do battle in their electric Test series, with everything still on the line. The fourth Test between these two juggernauts is going to be tense, with the eyes of the cricketing world locked on the Melbourne Cricket Ground.

If you want to watch Australia vs. India (4th Test) for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

When is Australia vs. India (4th Test)?

The 4th Test between Australia and India takes place from Dec. 26 to Dec. 30 (in Australia). This Test match takes place at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.

The full schedule for India's five-Test tour of Australia is as follows:

• Australia vs. India (1st Test) — Nov. 22 to Nov. 26

• Australia vs. India (2nd Test) — Dec. 6 to Dec. 10

• Australia vs. India (3rd Test) — Dec. 14 to Dec. 18

• Australia vs. India (4th Test) — Dec. 26 to Dec. 30

• Australia vs. India (5th Test) — Jan. 3 to Jan. 7

Fans can live stream every Test match in this series without spending anything.

How to watch Australia vs. India for free

Australia vs. India (4th Test) is available to live stream for free on 7Plus in Australia.

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Connections: Sports Edition is a new 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. Connections can be played on both web browsers and mobile devices and require players to group four words that share something in common.

Tweet may have been deleted

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.

Tweet may have been deleted

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's The Mini crossword answers for December 25 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: Water competitions

• Green: Most Lombardi trophies

• Blue: City and team name start with the same letter

• Purple: Related to the cold

Featured Video For You Connections: How to play and how to win Here are today's Connections Sports Edition categories

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

• Yellow: Aquatic sports

• Green: NFL teams with most Super Bowl wins

• Blue: Teams with alliterative city/nickname combos

• Purple: Ice _____

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 #93 is...

What is the answer to Connections Sports Edition today

• Aquatic sports - DIVING, ROWING, SURFING, SWIMMING

• NFL teams with most Super Bowl wins - 49ERS, COWBOYS, PATRIOTS, STEELERS

• Teams with alliterative city/nickname combos - BILLS, BRUINS, MARLINS, STORM

• Ice ______ - FISHING, HOCKEY, PACK, SKATING

Don't feel down if you didn't manage to guess it this time. There will be new 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.

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.

Tweet may have been deleted

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.

Tweet may have been deleted

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's The Mini crossword answers for December 25 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: Space objects

• Green: Iconic bow and arrow users

• Blue: Opposite gender animals

• Purple: Late-night sketch comedy icons

Featured Video For You Connections: How to play and how to win Here are today's Connections categories

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

• Yellow: Celestial Objects

• Green: Archers

• Blue: Female Animals

• Purple: SNL Cast Members

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 #563 is...

What is the answer to Connections today

• Celestial Objects: COMET, MOON, PLANET, STAR

• Archers: CUPID, HAWKEYE, ROBIN HOOD, SAGITTARIUS

• Female Animals: JENNY, NANNY, QUEEN, VIXEN

• SNL Cast Members: FEY, RUDOLPH, SHANNON, STRONG

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

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for December 25

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.

Oh hey there! If you're here, it must be time for Wordle. As always, we're serving up our daily hints and tips to help you figure out today's answer.

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 today: Hints and answers for December 25 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.

SEE ALSO: NYT's The Mini crossword answers for December 25 Here's a subtle hint for today's Wordle answer:

To give something to others.

Does today's Wordle answer have a double letter?

There is no reoccurring letters.

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

Today's Wordle starts with the letter S.

SEE ALSO: Wordle-obsessed? These are the best word games to play IRL. 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...

SHARE.

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.

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for December 25

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

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.

If you're reading this, you're looking for a little help playing Strands, the New York Times' elevated word-search game.

Strands 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 December 25 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for December 25 NYT Strands hint for today’s theme: A visit from Santa

These words are stocking stuffers.

Today’s NYT Strands theme plainly explained

Words are small items gifted by Santa.

NYT Strands spangram hint: Is it vertical or horizontal?

Today's NYT Strands spangram is vertical.

NYT Strands spangram answer today

Today's spangram is Stocking.

Featured Video For You Strands 101: How to win NYT’s latest word game NYT Strands word list for December 25

• Toys

• Plushie

• Orange

• Socks

• Scarf

• Candy

• Coal

• Pens

• Stocking

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.

“A lot of compute is needed,” Mr. Musk said in a post about the financing, in which BlackRock, Fidelity and Sequoia participated.

Writer/director Halina Reijn and actor Harris Dickinson discuss the layers of Babygirl, an erotic thriller that subverts genre norms. Reijn delves into the film’s metaphorical death, and how sexuality wraps around deeper narratives. Dickinson shares insights on working with an intimacy coordinator and the importance of clarity in such scenes.

A24 will release the movie in theaters Dec. 25.

Best Buy's top gift card deals at a glance: Best clothing/apparel gift card deal Fanatics $25 gift card $21.25 (save $3.75) Get Deal Best entertainment gift card deal Regal $50 gift card $42.50 (save $7.50) Get Deal Best food/dining gift card deal DoorDash $100 gift card $85 (save $15) Get Deal

Best Buy is throwing eleventh-hour Christmas shoppers an easy Hail Mary.

The tech retailer has a handful of gift cards on sale for 15% off as one of its Bonus Deals of the Day for Dec. 24. Its selection covers services and establishments like DoorDash, Regal, and Dave & Buster's, with card amounts ranging in value from $15 to $100 — i.e., you've got options. (You'll pay $12.75 to $85, respectively.) Here's the list in full, sorted by category:

Food and dining

• DoorDash $100 gift card — $85 $100 (save $15)

• Panera Bread $25 gift card — $21.25 $25 (save $3.75)

• PF Chang's $25 gift card — $21.25 $25 (save $3.75)

• PF Chang's $50 gift card — $42.50 $50 (save $7.50)

• Zaxby’s $15 gift card — $12.75 $15 (save $2.25)

• Zaxby’s $25 gift card — $21.25 $25 (save $3.75)

Entertainment

• Dave & Buster's $25 gift card — $21.25 $25 (save $3.75)

• Dave & Buster's $50 gift card — $42.50 $50 (save $7.50)

• Regal $50 gift card — $42.50 $50 (save $7.50)

Clothing and apparel

• Carter's $25 gift card — $21.25 $25 (save $3.75)

• Carter's $50 gift card — $42.50 $50 (save $7.50)

• Fanatics $25 gift card — $21.25 $25 (save $3.75)

• Fanatics $50 gift card — $42.50 $50 (save $7.50)

• Fanatics $100 gift card — $85 $100 (save $15)

Miscellaneous

• Jiffy Lube $50 gift card — $42.50 $50 (save $7.50)

All of the featured gift cards are available as digital vouchers that can be sent via email for long-distance gifting. The Panera and DoorDash ones were also available as physical gift cards, in case you still need something to wrap as a stocking stuffer or an entry in a white elephant exchange.

SEE ALSO: The very best digital gifts and subscriptions you can send via email

If none of the options pique your interest (and you can afford to wait a little longer), check back tomorrow: Best Buy's main Deal of the Day for Dec. 25 will net you a free Best Buy e-gift card when you buy other gift cards to the Apple Store, Lululemon, and Macy's.

For more last-minute gifting inspiration, check out Mashable's guide to the best digital gifts.