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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 Mashable

Here are the clues and answers to NYT's The Mini for Thursday, September 19, 2024:

AcrossWith 4- and 5-Across, opposite of fantasy land

• The answer is The.

See 1-Across

• The answer is Real.

See 1-Across

• The answer is World.

Bend in the road

• The answer is Curve.

Be in the driver's seat

• The answer is Steer.

DownFrench for "earth"

• The answer is Terre.

Slice in two

• The answer is Halve.

___ statesman

• The answer is Elder.

Overwhelming victory

• The answer is Route.

Rooms with toilets, in European shorthand

• The answer is WCs.

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 Games

Are 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.

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: Here's the answer hints for September 19 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections today: See hints and answers for September 19 NYT Strands hint for today’s theme: Work out the bugs

These words are a literal interpretation of the hint.

Today’s NYT Strands theme plainly explained

The answers are all related to tools

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 CreepyCrawlies.

Featured Video For You Strands 101: How to win NYT’s latest word game NYT Strands word list for September 19

• Beetle

• CreepyCrawlies

• Millipede

• Spider

• Earwig

• Termite

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.

TL;DR: If you need high-quality scans anywhere, anytime, get SwiftScan VIP. A lifetime subscription to this iOS and Android-compatible OCR scanner is now only £36.42 (reg. £151.78) when you use the discount code SAVENOW. 

If you're tired of cleaning the papers out of your desk, help this year go differently. Get an OCR scanner app that makes short work of digitising notes, documents, and even pages from books. 

SwiftScan is a simple scanner for iOS or Android devices that produces high-quality scans in seconds. Normally, a lifetime subscription to SwiftScan VIP would be £151.78, but you can get one on sale for £36.42. 

How is SwiftScan different from other scanners?

In the grand colosseum of scanners and scanner apps, SwiftScan may come out on top for a few reasons. First, if you're comparing SwiftScan to a desktop scanner, the app is a great find on price alone. Sure, it can't print your scans like a physical scanner could, but it also doesn't take any desk space and doesn't require expensive ink to access half its functions. 

When it comes to scanning capabilities, the app captures premium quality scans starting at 200 dpi, and it even automatically enhances scan quality with colour filters and auto-optimisation. Trembly hands? There's blur reduction. Once you've scanned your documents, you can save them as a PDF or JPEG. The app also lets you do multi-page scans. Combine that with the OCR capabilities, and you can turn a few pages of your textbook into a scan you can search. You can even annotate your documents, add signatures, redact text, or reorder pages. 

Don't worry. All those documents don't need to take up your phone's limited memory. SwiftScan integrates with cloud services like iCloud, Google Drive, and Dropbox, so you can save or scare your scans seamlessly. Kicking it old school? This scanner can even send a fax. 

Save £115 with this code

Get a scanner that doesn't take up any extra room in your office or dorm. 

Get a Lifetime Subscription to SwiftScan VIP for £36.42 (reg. £151.78) at the Mashable Shop when you use the code SAVENOW. 

StackSocial prices subject to change. 

Opens in a new window Credit: Maple Media SwiftScan VIP: Lifetime Subscription £36.42 at the Mashable Shop
£116.87 Save £80.45 Use code 'SAVENOW' Get Deal

TL;DR: Watch Seattle Storm vs. Phoenix Mercury in the WNBA with WNBA League Pass. Avoid blackouts and watch the WNBA from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

It's the final day of the WNBA regular season. It's now a question of heading into the WNBA playoffs with as much momentum as possible, with a chance to play for the 2024 title.

Both Seattle and Phoenix have secured their playoff berths following relatively strong seasons. But which of these teams will clinch the win on the final day of the regular season?

To watch the Seattle Storm vs. Phoenix Mercury in the WNBA from anywhere in the world, keep reading to find out all the information you need.

When is Seattle Storm vs. Phoenix Mercury?

Seattle Storm vs. Phoenix Mercury in the WNBA starts at 10 p.m. ET on Sept. 19. This fixture takes place at the Footprint Center in Phoenix, Arizona.

How to watch Seattle Storm vs. Phoenix Mercury

You can watch this latest fixture with the WNBA League Pass. But remember that the WNBA League Pass doesn't stream locally televised games in the participating teams' local areas. However, you can sidestep these restrictions with just a few simple steps. You'll need to use a VPN, a useful tool that hides your real IP address and connects you with secure servers in other locations. This will allow to watch the few remaining WNBA League Pass games live.

To access every WNBA League Pass game, follow these easy steps:

1. Subscribe to a streaming-friendly VPN (like ExpressVPN)

2. Download the app to your device of choice (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)

3. Open up the app and connect to a server in a location with no broadcast deals for the WNBA

4. Log in to WNBA League Pass

5. Stream every WNBA game live (except games hosted by Amazon Prime Video)

Opens in a new window Credit: ExpressVPN ExpressVPN (1-Year Subscription + 3 Months Free) $99.95 only at ExpressVPN (with money-back guarantee) Get Deal What is the best VPN for the WNBA?

ExpressVPN is the best choice for hiding your real IP address and streaming more sport, for a number of reasons:

• Servers in 105 countries

• Easy-to-use app available on all major devices including iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac, and more

• Strict no-logging policy so your data is secure

• Fast connection speeds free from throttling

• 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 gives you a whole year of unlimited cloud backup along with a generous 30-day money-back guarantee.

Stream Seattle Storm vs. Phoenix Mercury in the WNBA from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

TL;DR: Watch Dallas Wings vs. Las Vegas Aces in the WNBA with WNBA League Pass. Avoid blackouts and watch the WNBA from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

It's the last day of the WNBA regular season, which can mean only one thing: the WNBA playoffs are just around the corner.

Before the playoffs get started, Dallas Wings visit the Las Vegas Aces. Dallas are playing for pride at this point, as they're already ruled out of the playoffs. But eyes will be on Las Vegas, who'll want to go into the playoffs with some momentum and challenge for a third consecutive WNBA championship.

The great news is that you can stream Dallas Wings vs. Las Vegas Aces from anywhere in the world. Read on for all the information you need.

When is Dallas Wings vs. Las Vegas Aces?

Dallas Wings vs. Las Vegas Aces in the WNBA starts at 9 p.m. ET on Sept. 19. This fixture takes place at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.

How to watch Dallas Wings vs. Las Vegas Aces

Basketball fans can watch Dallas Wings vs. Las Vegas from anywhere in the world with a WNBA League Pass.

The WNBA League Pass doesn't show games in the participating teams' local areas. But there are ways to get around these blackout rules. All you need to do is sign up for a VPN. VPNs are super useful tools that work by hiding your real IP address (digital location) and connecting you to secure servers in other locations. This will allow you to watch the final games on WNBA League Pass live.

To access every WNBA League Pass game, follow these easy steps:

1. Subscribe to a streaming-friendly VPN (like ExpressVPN)

2. Download the app to your device of choice (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)

3. Open up the app and connect to a server in a location with no broadcast deals for the WNBA

4. Log in to WNBA League Pass

5. Stream every WNBA game live (except games hosted by Amazon Prime Video)

Opens in a new window Credit: ExpressVPN ExpressVPN (1-Year Subscription + 3 Months Free) $99.95 only at ExpressVPN (with money-back guarantee) Get Deal What is the best VPN for the WNBA?

ExpressVPN is the best choice for hiding your real IP address and streaming more sport, for a number of reasons:

• Servers in 105 countries

• Easy-to-use app available on all major devices including iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac, and more

• Strict no-logging policy so your data is secure

• Fast connection speeds free from throttling

• Up to eight simultaneous connections

• 30-day money-back guarantee

A one-year subscription to ExpressVPN is currently on sale for a limited time only at $99.95 — which is 49% off the regular price. This deal gives you a bonus three months of usage at no extra cost, plus a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee.

Stream Dallas Wings vs. Las Vegas Aces in the WNBA from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

TL;DR: Live stream Atletico Madrid vs. RB Leipzig in the Champions League for free on RTL ZWEE. Access this free streaming platform from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

The new Champions League format is great, but we think the best thing about this new season of Europe's premier club competition is that you can watch a bunch of top fixtures without spending anything. There's a simple hack that fans can use to access free streaming platforms from around the world.

If you want to watch Atletico Madrid vs. RB Leipzig in the Champions League from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

When is Atletico Madrid vs. RB Leipzig?

Atletico Madrid vs. RB Leipzig in the Champions League kicks off at 8 p.m. BST on Sept. 19. This fixture takes place at the Metropolitano Stadium.

How to watch Atletico Madrid vs. RB Leipzig for free

Atletico Madrid vs. RB Leipzig is available to live stream for free on RTL ZWEE.

RTL ZWEE is geo-restricted to Luxembourg, but anyone can access this free streaming platform with a VPN. These tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in Luxembourg, meaning you can unblock RTL ZWEE to stream the Champions League for free from anywhere in the world.

Live stream Atletico Madrid vs. RB Leipzig for free by following these simple steps:

1. Subscribe to a streaming-friendly VPN (like ExpressVPN)

2. Download the app to your device of choice (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)

3. Open up the app and connect to a server in Luxembourg

4. Sign in to RTL ZWEE

5. Watch Atletico Madrid vs. RB Leipzig for free from anywhere in the world

Opens in a new window Credit: ExpressVPN ExpressVPN (1-Year Subscription + 3 Months Free) $99.95 only at ExpressVPN (with money-back guarantee) Get Deal

The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but most do offer free-trials or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can access free live streams of the Champions League without actually spending anything. This obviously isn't a long-term solution, but it does give you enough time to stream Atletico Madrid vs. RB Leipzig (plus more Champions League fixtures) before recovering your investment.

If you want to retain permanent access to free streaming services from around the world, you'll need a subscription. Fortunately, the best VPN for streaming live sport is on sale for a limited time.

What is the best VPN for RTL ZWEE?

ExpressVPN is the best choice for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream live sport on RTL ZWEE, for a number of reasons:

• Servers in 105 countries including Luxembourg

• Easy-to-use app available on all major devices including iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac, and more

• Strict no-logging policy so your data is secure

• Fast connection speeds free from throttling

• 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 includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee.

Live stream Atletico Madrid vs. RB Leipzig in the Champions League for free with ExpressVPN.

TL;DR: Live stream Atalanta vs. Arsenal in the Champions League for free on RTÉ Player. Access this free streaming platform from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

Atalanta won the Europa League in style last year, but the Champions League is going to be a challenge on another level. And it doesn't exactly start with an easy fixture, as they face an in-form Arsenal side fresh from beating Tottenham Hotspur in the Premier League. It's set to be a fascinating tactical battle between two strong sides, and you can watch all the action without spending anything.

If you want to watch Atalanta vs. Arsenal in the Champions League for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

When is Atalanta vs. Arsenal?

Atalanta vs. Arsenal in the Champions League kicks off at 8 p.m. BST on Sept. 19. This fixture takes place at the Stadio Atleti Azzurri d'Italia.

How to watch Atalanta vs. Arsenal for free

Atalanta vs. Arsenal is available to live stream for free on RTÉ Player.

RTÉ Player is geo-restricted to Ireland, but anyone can access this free streaming platform with a VPN. These tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in Ireland, meaning you can unblock free live streams of the Champions League from anywhere in the world.

Live stream Atalanta vs. Arsenal on RTÉ Player by following these simple steps:

1. Subscribe to a streaming-friendly VPN (like ExpressVPN)

2. Download the app to your device of choice (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)

3. Open up the app and connect to a server in Ireland

4. Sign in to RTÉ Player

5. Watch Atalanta vs. Arsenal for free from anywhere in the world

Opens in a new window Credit: ExpressVPN ExpressVPN (1-Year Subscription + 3 Months Free) $99.95 only at ExpressVPN (with money-back guarantee) Get Deal

The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but leading VPNs do tend to offer free-trial periods or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can access free live streams of the Champions League without actually spending anything. This obviously isn't a long-term solution, but it does give you enough time to stream Atalanta vs. Arsenal (plus more Champions League fixtures) before recovering your investment.

If you want to retain permanent access to free streaming platforms from around the world, you'll need a subscription. Fortunately, the best VPN for streaming live sport is on sale for a limited time.

What is the best VPN for RTÉ Player?

ExpressVPN is the best choice for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream live sport on RTÉ Player, for a number of reasons:

• Servers in 105 countries including Ireland

• Easy-to-use app available on all major devices including iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac, and more

• Strict no-logging policy so your data is secure

• Fast connection speeds free from throttling

• 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 includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee.

Live stream Atalanta vs. Arsenal in the Champions League for free with ExpressVPN.

TL;DR: Live stream Monaco vs. Barcelona in the Champions League for free on Tabii. Access this free streaming platform from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

There are a number of really interesting matchups in the first round of Champions League fixtures, including Monaco vs. Barcelona. The visiting side will be favorites to take all three points, but don't rule out Monaco. The French team have started the season very strongly, and will fancy their chances on home turf.

If you want to watch Monaco vs. Barcelona in the Champions League for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

When is Monaco vs. Barcelona?

Monaco vs. Barcelona in the Champions League kicks off at 8 p.m. BST on Sept. 19. This fixture takes place at the Louis II Stadium.

How to watch Monaco vs. Barcelona for free

Monaco vs. Barcelona is available to live stream for free on Tabii.

Tabii is offering free live streams of the Champions League, Europa League, and Conference League for the next three seasons. Tabii is geo-restricted to Turkey, but anyone can access this free streaming platform with a VPN. These tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in Turkey, meaning you can unblock free live streams of the Champions League from anywhere in the world.

Live stream Monaco vs. Barcelona on Tabii by following these simple steps:

1. Subscribe to a streaming-friendly VPN (like ExpressVPN)

2. Download the app to your device of choice (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)

3. Open up the app and connect to a server in Turkey

4. Sign in to Tabii

5. Watch Monaco vs. Barcelona for free from anywhere in the world

Opens in a new window Credit: ExpressVPN ExpressVPN (1-Year Subscription + 3 Months Free) $99.95 only at ExpressVPN (with money-back guarantee) Get Deal

The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but leading VPNs do tend to offer free-trial periods or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can access free live streams of the Champions League without actually spending anything. This obviously isn't a long-term solution, but it does give you enough time to stream Monaco vs. Barcelona (plus more Champions League fixtures) before recovering your investment.

If you want to retain permanent access to free streaming services from around the world, you'll need a subscription. Fortunately, the best VPN for streaming live sport is on sale for a limited time.

What is the best VPN for Tabii?

ExpressVPN is the best choice for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream live sport on Tabii, for a number of reasons:

• Servers in 105 countries including Turkey

• Easy-to-use app available on all major devices including iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac, and more

• Strict no-logging policy so your data is secure

• Fast connection speeds free from throttling

• 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 includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee.

Live stream Monaco vs. Barcelona in the Champions League for free with ExpressVPN.

TL;DR: Live stream Crvena Zvezda vs. Benfica in the Champions League for free on Tabii. Access this free streaming platform from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

Crvena Zvezda vs. Benfica in the Champions League is not the most glamorous fixture on the list, but that doesn't mean that fans from around the world won't be looking for the best way to watch all the action. The good news is that it's possible to live stream select Champions League fixtures for free this season with a simple hack.

If you want to watch Crvena Zvezda vs. Benfica in the Champions League for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

When is Crvena Zvezda vs. Benfica?

Crvena Zvezda vs. Benfica in the Champions League kicks off at 5:45 p.m. BST on Sept. 19. This fixture takes place at the Rajko Mitić Stadium.

How to watch Crvena Zvezda vs. Benfica for free

Crvena Zvezda vs. Benfica is available to live stream for free on Tabii.

Tabii is offering free live streams of the Champions League, Europa League, and Conference League for the next three seasons. Tabii is geo-restricted to Turkey, but anyone can access this free streaming platform with a VPN. These tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in Turkey, meaning you can unblock free live streams of the Champions League from anywhere in the world.

Live stream Crvena Zvezda vs. Benfica on Tabii by following these simple steps:

1. Subscribe to a streaming-friendly VPN (like ExpressVPN)

2. Download the app to your device of choice (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)

3. Open up the app and connect to a server in Turkey

4. Sign in to Tabii

5. Watch Crvena Zvezda vs. Benfica for free from anywhere in the world

Opens in a new window Credit: ExpressVPN ExpressVPN (1-Year Subscription + 3 Months Free) $99.95 only at ExpressVPN (with money-back guarantee) Get Deal

The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but leading VPNs do tend to offer free-trial periods or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can access free live streams of the Champions League without actually spending anything. This obviously isn't a long-term solution, but it does give you enough time to stream Crvena Zvezda vs. Benfica (plus more Champions League fixtures) before recovering your investment.

If you want to retain permanent access to free streaming services from around the world, you'll need a subscription. Fortunately, the best VPN for streaming live sport is on sale for a limited time.

What is the best VPN for Tabii?

ExpressVPN is the best choice for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream live sport on Tabii, for a number of reasons:

• Servers in 105 countries including Turkey

• Easy-to-use app available on all major devices including iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac, and more

• Strict no-logging policy so your data is secure

• Fast connection speeds free from throttling

• 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 includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee.

Live stream Crvena Zvezda vs. Benfica in the Champions League for free with ExpressVPN.

TL;DR: Watch Los Angeles Sparks vs. Minnesota Lynx in the WNBA with WNBA League Pass. Avoid blackouts and watch the WNBA from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

The WNBA playoffs are almost here. Some teams are looking toward the postseason and hoping to vie for the 2024 title, while others are resigned to regrouping.

The Los Angeles Sparks have had a poor season and at this point they're playing for pride, having been ruled out of a playoff spot. Minnesota Lynx, meanwhile, have been one of the top teams this year and will look to begin their playoff campaign with momentum. Can they score a big win against Los Angeles?

Fortunately, you can watch Los Angeles Sparks vs. Minnesota Lynx from anywhere around the world. Keep reading to find out how.

When is Los Angeles Sparks vs. Minnesota Lynx?

Los Angeles Sparks vs. Minnesota Lynx in the WNBA starts at 8 p.m. ET on Sep. 19. This fixture takes place at the Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

How to watch Los Angeles Sparks vs. Minnesota Lynx

Basketball fans can watch Los Angeles Sparks vs. Minnesota Lynx plus the remainder of the WNBA 2024 season from anywhere in the world with a WNBA League Pass.

The WNBA League Pass unfortunately doesn't show locally televised games live in the participating teams' local areas, but you can sidestep the blackout rules by using a VPN. A VPN is a super helpful online tool that works by masking your real IP address (digital location) and connecting you to a secure server in another location or country. This will allow you to watch every WNBA League Pass game live, excluding games streamed by Amazon Prime Video.

To access every WNBA League Pass game, follow these easy steps:

1. Subscribe to a streaming-friendly VPN (like ExpressVPN)

2. Download the app to your device of choice (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)

3. Open up the app and connect to a server in a location with no broadcast deals for the WNBA

4. Log in to WNBA League Pass

5. Stream every WNBA game live (except games hosted by Amazon Prime Video)

Opens in a new window Credit: ExpressVPN ExpressVPN (1-Year Subscription + 3 Months Free) $99.95 only at ExpressVPN (with money-back guarantee) Get Deal What is the best VPN for the WNBA?

ExpressVPN is the best choice for hiding your real IP address and streaming more sport, for a number of reasons:

• Servers in 105 countries

• Easy-to-use app available on all major devices including iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac, and more

• Strict no-logging policy so your data is secure

• Fast connection speeds free from throttling

• Up to eight simultaneous connections

• 30-day money-back guarantee

A one-year subscription to ExpressVPN is currently on sale for $99.95 for a limited time, which gives you an overall saving of 49%. Within this offer you get a bonus three months for no extra costs, as well as a year of unlimited cloud backup and a generous money-back guarantee within 30 days.

Stream Los Angeles Sparks vs. Minnesota Lynx in the WNBA from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

TL;DR: Watch Atlanta Dream vs. New York Liberty in the WNBA with WNBA League Pass. Avoid blackouts and watch the WNBA from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

The regular season is coming to a close, but the WNBA playoffs are just around the corner. While some teams are confirmed for the postseason, others are fighting for a spot — which will make Atlanta Dream vs. New York Liberty very interesting.

New York Liberty have been the strongest team this season. They're sat top of the national league and secured a playoff berth weeks ago. Atlanta Dream are still just about in the running for the playoffs but they'll need to pull out something special here and hope other results go their way.

If you want to watch Atlanta Dream vs New York Liberty in the WNBA from anywhere in the world, read below to find out how.

When is Atlanta Dream vs. New York Liberty?

Atlanta Dream vs. New York Liberty in the WNBA starts at 7 p.m. ET on Sept. 19. This fixture takes place at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York.

How to watch Atlanta Dream vs. New York Liberty

Basketball fans can watch Atlanta Dream vs. New York Liberty plus the remainder of the WNBA 2024 season from anywhere in the world with a WNBA League Pass.

The WNBA League Pass doesn't show locally televised games in participating teams' local areas, but you can sidestep these blackout rules by signing up with a VPN.

VPNs are super useful tools that can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you with a secure server based in another location. This will allow you to watch WNBA League Pass games as they happen, though this excludes the select games streaming on Amazon Prime Video.

To access every WNBA League Pass game, follow these easy steps:

1. Subscribe to a streaming-friendly VPN (like ExpressVPN)

2. Download the app to your device of choice (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)

3. Open up the app and connect to a server in a location with no broadcast deals for the WNBA

4. Log in to WNBA League Pass

5. Stream every WNBA game live (except games hosted by Amazon Prime Video)

Opens in a new window Credit: ExpressVPN ExpressVPN (1-Year Subscription + 3 Months Free) $99.95 only at ExpressVPN (with money-back guarantee) Get Deal What is the best VPN for the WNBA?

ExpressVPN is the best choice for hiding your real IP address and streaming more sport, for a number of reasons:

• Servers in 105 countries

• Easy-to-use app available on all major devices including iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac, and more

• Strict no-logging policy so your data is secure

• Fast connection speeds free from throttling

• Up to eight simultaneous connections

• 30-day money-back guarantee

A one-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for a limited time at $99.95 — a saving of 49%. This deal includes an extra three months of usage along with an entire year of unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee.

Stream Atlanta Dream vs. New York Liberty in the WNBA from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

TL;DR: Watch Chicago Sky vs. Connecticut Sun in the WNBA with WNBA League Pass. Avoid blackouts and watch the WNBA from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

The WNBA regular season is coming to an end, which means it's almost time for the WNBA playoffs. Before that though, Chicago Sky visit Connecticut Sun for what promises to be an exciting showdown.

Connecticut Sun have had a strong season, sitting third in the overall league standings with a playoff spot in the bag. For Chicago, however, recent weeks have been tough and their playoff dreams are up in the air — can they turn those dreams into a slam dunk and secure a berth in the postseason?

If you want to watch Chicago Sky vs. Connecticut Sun in the WNBA from anywhere in the world, keep reading to find out how.

When is Chicago Sky vs. Connecticut Sun?

Los Angeles Sparks vs. Chicago Sky in the WNBA starts at 7 p.m. ET on Sept. 19. This fixture takes place at the Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut.

How to watch Chicago Sky vs. Connecticut Sun

Basketball fans can watch Chicago Sky vs. Connecticut Sun plus the remainder of the WNBA 2024 season from anywhere in the world with a WNBA League Pass.

While the WNBA League Pass doesn't show locally televised games live in the participating teams' local areas, you can dribble around the blackout rules by employing a VPN.

VPNs are helpful online tools that can hide your real IP address (digital location). You can then connect to secure servers based in other locations and watch WNBA League Pass games as they happen, though select games are streaming on Amazon Prime Video.

To access every WNBA League Pass game, follow these easy steps:

1. Subscribe to a streaming-friendly VPN (like ExpressVPN)

2. Download the app to your device of choice (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)

3. Open up the app and connect to a server in a location with no broadcast deals for the WNBA

4. Log in to WNBA League Pass

5. Stream every WNBA game live (except games hosted by Amazon Prime Video)

Opens in a new window Credit: ExpressVPN ExpressVPN (1-Year Subscription + 3 Months Free) $99.95 only at ExpressVPN (with money-back guarantee) Get Deal What is the best VPN for the WNBA?

ExpressVPN is the best choice for hiding your real IP address and streaming more sport, for a number of reasons:

• Servers in 105 countries

• Easy-to-use app available on all major devices including iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac, and more

• Strict no-logging policy so your data is secure

• Fast connection speeds free from throttling

• Up to eight simultaneous connections

• 30-day money-back guarantee

A one-year subscription to ExpressVPN is now on sale for $99.95, which includes an extra three months of usage for free. That's an overall saving of 49%. Within this offer you also get a whole year of unlimited cloud backup and a very generous 30-day money-back guarantee.

Stream Chicago Sky vs. Connecticut Sun in the WNBA from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

TL;DR: Watch Indiana Fever vs. Washington Mystics in the WNBA for free with a 30-day trial of Prime Video. Access this free live stream from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

The WNBA regular season is almost done, but not before Indiana Fever visit the Washington Mystics for an end-of-season showdown.

Indiana have already claimed their postseason berth, but the Washington Mystics have been battling to clinch that all-important 8th place in the league, which would see them also join the playoffs. Can Washington get the win to stay in contention?

The good news is you can watch Indiana Fever vs. Washington Mystics in the WNBA for free from anywhere in the world. Keep reading to find out how.

When is Indiana Fever vs. Washington Mystics?

Indiana Fever vs. Washington Mystics in the WNBA starts at 7 p.m. ET on Sept. 19. This fixture takes place at the Entertainment and Sports Arena in Washington, DC.

How to watch Indiana Fever vs. Washington Mystics

Indiana Fever vs. Washington Mystics is free to watch on Prime Video in the U.S. If you're not already subscribed, don't worry, you can still watch the game for free with a 30-day trial of Prime Video in the U.S.

For WNBA fans not in the U.S., you can still watch the WNBA by using a VPN. The process is simple:

1. Sign up for a 30-day Amazon Prime trial (if you're not already a member)

2. Subscribe to a streaming-friendly VPN (like ExpressVPN)

3. Download the app to your device of choice (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)

4. Open up the app and connect to a server in the U.S.

5. Watch Indiana Fever vs. Washington Mystics for free from anywhere in the world on Prime Video

Opens in a new window Credit: ExpressVPN ExpressVPN (1-Year Subscription + 3 Months Free) $99.95 only at ExpressVPN (with money-back guarantee) Get Deal

The best VPNs for streaming are not technically free, but top VPN services tend to offer free trials or money-back guarantees. By taking advantage of these offers, you can watch the WNBA on Prime Video — all without committing with your cash in the long run. It's a short-term solution, but it does give you enough time to stream select WNBA fixtures before you claim back your investment.

What is the best VPN for Prime Video?

ExpressVPN is the best choice for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream live sport on Prime Video, for a number of reasons:

• Servers in 105 countries including the U.S.

• Easy-to-use app available on all major devices including iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac, and more

• Strict no-logging policy so your data is secure

• Fast connection speeds free from throttling

• 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. As part of this plan you also get a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee.

Stream Indiana Fever vs. Washington Mystics in the WNBA for free with ExpressVPN.

TL;DR: Live stream New England Patriots vs. New York Jets for free with a 30-day trial of Prime Video. Access this free live stream from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

Prime Video has bagged the rights to Thursday Night Football this season, with an exciting lineup of fixtures including New England Patriots vs. New York Jets. This heated rivarly often delivers exciting games, so fans will be delighted to hear that they can access a live stream of Patriots vs. Jets without spending anything.

If you're interested in watching New England Patriots vs. New York Jets for free, we have all the information you need.

When is Patriots vs. Jets?

New England Patriots vs. New York Jets takes place at 8:15 p.m. ET on Sep 19. This fixture will be played at the MetLife Stadium.

How to watch Patriots vs. Jets for free

New England Patriots vs. New York Jets is available to live stream on Prime Video in the U.S., but you don't need to be subscribed to Amazon Prime to watch this fixture. Instead, you can watch New England Patriots vs. New York Jets (plus more Thursday Night Football fixtures) for free with a 30-day trial of Amazon Prime.

Fans from outside the U.S. will need to use a VPN to watch the NFL for free on Prime Video. This process is straightforward:

1. Sign up for a 30-day Amazon Prime trial (if you're not already a member)

2. Subscribe to a streaming-friendly VPN (like ExpressVPN)

3. Download the app to your device of choice (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)

4. Open up the app and connect to a server in the U.S.

5. Watch New England Patriots vs. New York Jets for free from anywhere in the world on Prime Video

Opens in a new window Credit: ExpressVPN ExpressVPN (1-Year Subscription + 3 Months Free) $99.95 only at ExpressVPN (with money-back guarantee) Get Deal

The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but top VPNs do tend to offer free-trial periods or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these deals, you can access free live streams of the NFL without actually spending anything. It's a short-term solution, but this gives you enough time to watch select NFL fixtures before recovering your investment.

What is the best VPN for the NFL?

ExpressVPN is the best service for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream the NFL, for a number of reasons:

• Servers in 105 countries

• 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 currently available for $99.95. Within this limited time deal you'll get an extra three months at no additional cost, a whole year of unlimited cloud backup for free, and a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Live stream New England Patriots vs. New York Jets for free from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

Get ready to grapple with one of the most pivotal eras in professional wrestling history, now finally getting the Netflix treatment in The Queen of Villains. The Japanese semi-biographical drama, which first hit screens in 2023, centers on none other than Dump Matsumoto — the baddest heel wrestler you’ve probably never heard of, but definitely should have. She was the ultimate foil to the beloved Crush Gals, the unstoppable idol-pop duo of Lioness Asuka and Chigusa Nagoya, who combined wholesome charm with serious in-ring talent and some pretty good J-Pop.

These three icons, along with Matsumoto’s gang of misfits known as The Atrocious Alliance, helped catapult All Japan Women’s Pro-Wrestling into the big leagues and revolutionized the sport for both men and women. So, before The Queen of Villains drops stateside, we’re giving you a crash course on the legends, the rivalries, and the epic matches that took these women to the top in Japan.

What are AJW and Joshi Proresu?

For some context, The Queen of Villains takes us back to the chaotic, high-stakes world of 1980s pro wrestling, focusing on Joshi Proresu — the Japanese term for women's wrestling that cuts through gender divides in a way you won’t find in WWE or All Elite Wrestling. Unlike its Western counterparts, Joshi wrestling didn’t treat women’s matches as an afterthought. Instead, it put them front and center, demanding the same level of fast-paced, hard-hitting, and emotionally charged storytelling that male-dominated promotions like New Japan Pro Wrestling and All Japan were known for. It’s a sports meets spectacle, with an intensity that rivaled anything the guys were doing.

Founded in 1968 by Takashi Matsunaga, All Japan Women’s Pro-Wrestling (AJW) was the place for joshi wrestling in Japan — and for a long time, the only one. This is the company that booked the legendary clashes between Matsumoto and the Crush Gals during the mid-80s, captivating the entire country. AJW first found success in the early '80s thanks to stars like Jaguar Yokota and Devil Masami, but it was the unprecedented mainstream fame of the Crush Gals — and their explosive rivalry with Matsumoto — that really took things to the next level, even topping TV ratings across Japan.

AJW dominated the Joshi scene until the 1990s when the forced retirement of the Crush Gals started a slow decline. A series of bad investments led to bankruptcy in 1997, and the company lost media deals until it eventually folded in 2005.

AJW was an absolute breeding ground for innovation, giving us some of the most iconic moves in wrestling, courtesy of its stars like Manami Toyota, Bull Nakano, and Kyoko Inoue. Ever heard of the Jackhammer? The Air Raid Crash? How about the Vertebreaker or Death Valley Driver? Yeah, those were all created by Joshi women, and they’ve become staples of the wrestling world. These trailblazers weren’t just redefining women's wrestling — they were reshaping wrestling as a whole, leaving a lasting imprint on the sport’s DNA that’s still felt in the ring today.

AJW matches can be hard to find whole on the internet but if you're curious about the company's body of work, you can find a match guide on Cagematch.

Who are the Crush Gals?

In the 1980s, The Crush Gals were the faces of pro wrestling in Japan, rivaling the similar cultural zeitgeist Hulk Hogan had in the US with Hulkamania. Formed in 1983, Lioness Asuka (Tomoko Kitamura) and Chigusa Nagoya captured the hearts of Japan with a mix of youthful charm, fierce in-ring skill, and a massive following of teenage fangirls — not to mention their successful run as pop idols. Together, they dominated the scene, winning AJW’s World Women’s Wrestling Association Tag Team Championship four times.

But it was their blood feud with Dump Matsumoto and her Atrocious Alliance that really solidified their legacy. In 1985, their rivalry pulled in a jaw-dropping 12.0 TV rating on Fuji TV, meaning that around 14 million people in Japan were glued to their screens every week. Just to put that into perspective, even during WWE and WCW’s Monday Night Wars in the ’90s, the best they could pull was 8.1 and 6.0 ratings, respectively. The Crush Gals were bigger than big — they were a phenomenon.

The Crush Gals’ rivalry with Dump Matsumoto hit its dramatic peak on August 28, 1985, with one of the most important matches in wrestling history — a brutal hair vs. hair showdown between Chigusa Nagoya and Matsumoto. It’s a must-watch for any serious wrestling fan. While the Gals finally triumphed over Matsumoto’s stable in the 1987 Tag League the Best tournament, by then, Nagoya and Asuka had made names for themselves as singles stars.

So, what does AJW do with a duo that’s launched their company into mainstream superstardom? Force them to retire at 26, of course. Yep, despite the Crush Gals’ insane popularity, AJW had a strict rule that women had to hang up their boots by that age. The rule was partly driven by societal expectations in ’80s Japan, where women were expected to settle down and embrace domestic life. Plus, considering the physically intense style of Joshi wrestling, early retirements might have been a smart call — AJW ran 250-300 shows a year and pro wrestling already has a troubling premature death rate.

Despite this, AJW never saw the same level of success after retiring the Crush Gals and yet the company still kept the policy in place.

After their forced retirements in 1989, both Nagoya and Asuka took a break from wrestling, but it didn’t last long. Nagoya made some brief returns in the ’90s with AJW and JWP Joshi Puroresu, eventually founding her own promotion, GAEA Japan, in 2000. Asuka returned to AJW in 1994, though not with the same star power she had in the ’80s. The two reunited in GAEA, reforming the Crush Gals for semi-regular matches until GAEA folded in 2005.

Nagoya would retire two more times, with her most recent send-off match happening in 2024 with West Coast Pro in San Francisco. As for Asuka, her career was sadly cut short in 2004 due to a neck injury, with her final match fittingly being one last tag team bout with Nagoya.

Crush Gals Recommendations:

• Crush Gals vs. Devil Masami & Jaguar Yokota (September 26, 1984)

• Crush Gals vs. Dump Matsumoto & Crane Yu (February 25, 1985)

• Lioness Asuka vs. Jaguar Yokota (August 22, 1985)

• Chigusa Nagayo vs. Dump Matsumoto (Hair vs. Hair) (August 28, 1985)

• Crush Gals vs. Dump Matsumoto & Bull Nakano (October 10, 1985)

• Chigusa Nagayo vs. Lioness Asuka (Feburary 26, 1987)

• Crush Gals vs. Jumping Bomb Angels (September 14, 1986)

Who is Dump Matsumoto? Dump Matsumoto in 2019 Credit: Etsuo Hara/Getty Images

Dump Matsumoto (real name Kaoru Matsumoto) was the living nightmare of 1980s pro wrestling and the ultimate heel. With her menacing face paint, wild hair, and a collection of weapons that would make even the most hardcore wrestler flinch, Matsumoto redefined what it meant to be a villain in the ring. We don't get The Road Warriors without Matsumoto.

Her brutal, no-holds-barred fighting style was a stark contrast to the pop-idol charm of the Crush Gals, cementing her as the quintessential "monster" heel of her time.

Leading the Gokuaku Domei, also known as the Atrocious Alliance, Matsumoto and her gang of misfits were perfectly positioned as the nemesis of the fan-favorite Crush Gals. They didn’t just play the part of villains — they were the villains, bringing extreme violence and chaos wherever they went. Matsumoto’s use of chains, kendo sticks, and sheer brutality pushed the boundaries of what was acceptable in women’s wrestling at the time. Her matches weren’t just intense; they were groundbreaking, forever changing the landscape of the sport and redefining what joshi wrestling could be.

After the feud that cemented her as one of the most iconic villains in wrestling, Dump Matsumoto tried her hand at the global stage. In 1986, she popped up in the World Wrestling Federation (now WWE), pairing with Bull Nakano as “The Devils of Japan.” Their time in the U.S. may have been brief, but it showcased Matsumoto’s heel brilliance to a whole new audience.

She didn’t stay away from AJW for long, coming back for various matches and storylines in the late '80s. But by 1988, she officially retired—well, sort of. Like most wrestling icons, Matsumoto wasn’t done. She came back to the ring multiple times over the years, and as of now, she’s still keeping a foothold in the wrestling world.

Dump Matsumoto Recommendations:

• Dump Matsumoto & Bull Nakano vs. Jumping Bomb Angels (August 22, 1985)

• Dump Matsumoto vs. Chigusa Nagayo (Hair vs. Hair) (August 28, 1985)

• Dump Matsumoto vs. Yukari Omoroi (March 20, 1986)

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 September 19'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 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 used to be available for anyone to enjoy whenever they felt like it. Unfortunately, it has since been taken down, with the website's creator stating it was done at the request of the New York Times.

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 September 19 Here's a subtle hint for today's Wordle answer:

To gently apply force to something.

Does today's Wordle answer have a double letter?

There is one letter that appears twice.

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

Today's Wordle starts with the letter P.

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...

PRESS.

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

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

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

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.

Connections is the latest New York Times word game 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 September 18'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 September 19 Here's a hint for today's Connections categories

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

• Yellow: Something in a high degree

• Green: Types of parties

• Blue: Classic public television

• Purple: France

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: Prefix Meaning "Very"

• Green: Kinds of Parties

• Blue: PBS Shows

• Purple: Places in France

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 #466 is...

What is the answer to Connections today

• Prefix Meaning "Very": EXTRA, HYPER, OVER, SUPER

• Kinds of Parties: BIRTHDAY, COCKTAIL, DINNER, SURPRISE

• PBS Shows: FRONTLINE, MASTERPIECE, NATURE, NOVA

• Places in France: ANGERS, CHAMPAGNE, NICE, REUNION

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.

Agatha All Along feels like a witch's potion brewed specifically to make me giddy with joy. How could it not, when its ingredients include magical trials, rocking songs, and Patti LuPone herself?

The MCU's latest TV series serves as a follow-up to 2021's WandaVision, focusing on Wanda Maximoff's (Elizabeth Olsen) nosey neighbor turned witchy nemesis Agatha Harkness (Kathryn Hahn), and taking its name from her Emmy-winning introductory theme song.

Yet even though Agatha All Along finds itself in superhero sequel territory, the series and showrunner Jac Schaeffer (also the creator of WandaVision) forge their own path down the Witches' Road. Yes, you'll still find genre pastiche in the vein of its predecessor — although far less extreme — as well as witchy characters struggling to regain what's been taken from them. But Agatha All Along's focus on a coven of underdogs also invites new kooky characters into the MCU, whose chemistry with Agatha is the show's biggest superpower.

SEE ALSO: 40 shows we can't wait to see this fall What's Agatha All Along about? Kathryn Hahn in "Agatha All Along." Credit: Chuck Zlotnick / Marvel

Agatha All Along kicks off with a WandaVision-esque TV show spoof. This time, instead of Wanda taking the lead, it's Agatha. Sporting a scarf, a hardboiled detective attitude, and hints of a Delco accent, she's the spitting image of Kate Winslet in Mare of Easttown. (A fake credit sequence calls the show Agnes of Westview.)

However, Agatha's gritty murder mystery is nothing more than the distorted remains of Wanda's spell over Westview. In reality, she's completely powerless after her fight with Wanda — it takes a mysterious Teen (Heartstopper's Joe Locke) to break her out of her enchanted prison. (Yes, Agatha All Along purposefully obfuscates Locke's character's name, going so far as to cover his lips and silence him when he introduces himself. Trust that there's a witchy reason why.)

SEE ALSO: All Marvel Cinematic Universe movies, ranked worst to best

Teen — as Agatha calls him — wants Agatha's help to get to the Witches' Road. It's a legendary path riddled with deadly trials, and whoever reaches its end receives the thing they want the most. For Agatha, that would be the power Wanda sucked away during their battle. For Teen...well, just like with his name, Agatha All Along plays that reveal close to its chest. But in order for this unlikely duo to reach the Witches' Road, they'll need to assemble a coven.

Get ready to fall in love with Agatha All Along's coven Sasheer Zamata, Joe Locke, Kathryn Hahn, Patti LuPone, Debra Jo Rupp, and Ali Ahn in "Agatha All Along." Credit: Chuck Zlotnick / Marvel

It's no surprise that Hahn is delightful in her return as Agatha Harkness. She commands the screen with just a single twirl of her many cloaks, or a disgruntled groan at the compassion of those around her. But it's Hahn's chemistry with Agatha's new coven-mates that ends up being Agatha All Along's greatest strength and surprise.

First up on Agatha's recruitment list is Lilia Calderu (Patti LuPone), a psychic with a bit of a diva streak. (And yes, Patti LuPone playing a witch is exactly as fun as it sounds.) Joining her is potions witch Jennifer Kale (Sasheer Zamata), sporting a sarcastic streak that often rivals Agatha's own disdain. Alice Wu-Gulliver (Ali Ahn) is the daughter of a mystical rock star who mysteriously vanished in her attempts to find the Witches' Road, leaving her with a hard protective shell and a skepticism of all things magic. And a surprise addition to the crew is none other than Agatha's Westview neighbor Sharon (Debra Jo Rupp). She's no witch (she's really more there to fill a coven quota), but her perpetual confusion makes for a welcome foil to the centuries-old witches' blasé approach to witchcraft.

SEE ALSO: Sasheer Zamata talks 'Agatha All Along' and 'The First Woman'

Teen is a great foil for the coven as well. His fanboying and bouncy enthusiasm over the Witches' Road break up the other witches' resentment for each other (but mostly Agatha). Frankly, he acts as a bit of an audience stand-in as well, because who wouldn't be excited to hang out with this coven and watch these actors play off one another?

Rounding out Agatha All Along's cast of witches is Rio Vidal (Aubrey Plaza), a powerful witch whose first interaction with Agatha post-spell is holding a dagger to her throat. Clearly, there's some history there. Based on the crackling chemistry between Hahn and Plaza, my money's on former lovers. (With Agatha All Along being toted as "the gayest Marvel project yet," here's hoping I'm right.)

Rio and Agatha aren't the only witches with troubled pasts. Every member of the coven has experienced some kind of pain or setback. Why else would they be desperate enough to try their hand at the life-threatening Witches' Road? Watching these women open up about traumas — many hinted at in some genuinely spooky visions — proves a fairly moving (if sometimes heavy-handed) experience. These backstories add depth to the otherwise hilarious group interactions, chock-full of the kind of fast-talking and sniping that only occurs when you're in a room with larger-than-life personalities.

The Witches' Road is a highlight of Agatha All Along Patti LuPone, Sasheer Zamata, Kathryn Hahn, Debra Jo Rupp, and Ali Ahn in "Agatha All Along." Credit: Chuck Zlotnick/Marvel

The bonds of Agatha All Along's coven are forged in the fire of the Witches' Road, which feels like a twisted play on The Wizard of Oz's own yellow brick version. Among swaths of gnarled trees and stretches of mud that devour anyone who strays too far from the path lie tests that Agatha and her companions must conquer. Each test is not only a chance for the witches to prove their mettle, but also for Agatha All Along to have some more genre-bending fun with a trial-of-the-week format.

Take, for example, a dangerous pit stop in a beachside mansion that feels like something right out of Big Little Lies. Or a perilous visit to a '70s-era recording studio. These trials come complete with their own magical costume changes, paying tribute to WandaVision's episodic change-ups. They're also a total blast, especially the multiple moments when singing becomes a life-saving tool. Seriously, any moment that sees Hahn and LuPone leading a witchy girl group had me punching the air in excitement.

That excitement may start slow in Agatha All Along's earlier recruitment stages, but by the end of the first four episodes sent to critics for review, it was at a fever pitch. Here is a Marvel show that's unafraid to be campy, kooky, and weird, that ditches the "eight-hour movie" formatting of other MCU series and embraces the episodic power of TV that WandaVision harnessed so well. Add that to the dream team of Hahn and her coven, and you've got a show that's nothing short of magic.

The first two episodes of Agatha All Along are now streaming on DIsney+, with new episodes every Wednesday at 9 p.m. ET.

Sasheer Zamata plays a witch in Marvel's new 'Agatha All Along' so we played 'Slash or Pass: Witches Edition.'

The Israeli government did not tamper with the Hezbollah phones that exploded, defense and intelligence officials say. It manufactured them as part of an elaborate ruse.