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After Butch Wilmore got settled into the commander seat of Starliner earlier this summer, he thanked the people preparing to blast him and his crewmate Suni Williams into space.
"Outstanding. Nice job, guys," the NASA astronaut said before a launch attempt that ultimately scrubbed. "We'll see you in a couple of weeks — or longer."
The launch commentators were amused.
"Butch, planning on staying up there longer," said Jim May, a Boeing engineer, restating Wilmore's radio communication. "Maybe he'll do a couple of extra manual piloting demos while he's around there."
A few days later, the two astronauts indeed launched to the International Space Station, and those earlier words reveal their state of mind before the flight: They knew their planned week in space might be more than that. But the words also foreshadowed the rest of the tortuous mission.
SEE ALSO: The long, thorny history of Boeing's Starliner spaceship Boeing's Starliner arrived at the International Space Station with Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams on June 6, 2024. Credit: NASAFor more than two months, Wilmore and Williams have been in limbo 250 miles above Earth. Starliner, the new Boeing spaceship they test-piloted, experienced elusive propulsion issues on the journey. Now the U.S. space agency must decide whether to send them home in their test capsule or make complicated arrangements for them to ride a different spaceship — one built and controlled by Boeing's competitor, SpaceX. Boeing, for its part, firmly believes Starliner can handle the job.
Switching to SpaceX's Crew Dragon is not an ideal solution for NASA, either. The change would have a cascading effect on launch pads and the flight schedule.
"We're reaching a point where that last week in August, we really should be making a call, if not sooner," said Ken Bowersox, NASA's associate administrator of space operations.
Aside from the general concern for Wilmore and Williams' health — their bodies receive excess radiation and bone deterioration in space — the agency faces a ticking clock with the manifest.
Starliner's test pilots Butch Wilmore, left, and Suni Williams could remain in space for six more months if NASA decides to send them home in a SpaceX capsule. Credit: Joe Raedle / Getty ImagesThe U.S. segment of the space station has four ports — two for spaceships and two for cargo freighters. Right now one SpaceX capsule and Starliner occupy both crew docks. There's no interoperability between U.S. ships and Russian ports, and cargo spots aren't equipped for passenger craft. In short, the parking lot is full.
NASA already postponed the next crew rotation one month to buy some time to figure out the path forward for Starliner, but the delayed SpaceX capsule will be on its way to the station on Sept. 24. Starliner will have to undock before then, whether with human pilots or robotically, to accommodate the other SpaceX spaceship.
In addition to logistics at the station, NASA has had to consider how changes would affect operations on the ground. By delaying the next SpaceX Crew-9 flight, for example, the agency has had to scramble to get certification to move the launch to a different pad at Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Otherwise, Crew-9 would interfere with preparations for the launch of Europa Clipper, a robotic science mission set to study one of Jupiter's moons.
All the shuffling leaves a fairly tight window in September for Starliner to leave. If NASA chooses not to send the Starliner astronauts home in Starliner, they'll remain at the station until February 2025, turning their original eight-day visit into an eight-month layover.
If the Starliner crew returns in a SpaceX spaceship, they won't come home until February 2025. Credit: NASA"At some point, we need to bring those folks home, and get back to a normal crew size on the ISS," Bowersox said.
Though astronauts are trained for unanticipated changes in departures and arrivals, an extended stay in space will mean the two will be separated from their families for more than half a year.
Even astronauts, who are sometimes viewed as superhuman, can succumb to the tedium of life away from Earth. NASA astronaut Frank Rubio, who recently spent 371 days at the space station because his Russian ride home sprung a coolant leak, said it was a stressful ordeal.
"The psychological factor was more of a factor than I expected," he said then.
Suni Williams, left, and Butch Wilmore have worked on deferred maintenance tasks and repairs at the space station. Credit: NASAWilmore and Williams have been put to work since they arrived. In addition to diagnostic tests on Starliner, they have assisted in other ways at the orbiting laboratory. Both have taken up deferred maintenance tasks — such as assembling a backup urine processor dubbed "Frankenpump" — that at times have made them seem like glorified space janitors.
Having extra crew on hand to pick up slack has been a perk for NASA, but it also has its drawbacks. More people in orbit means extra mouths to feed, and extra carbon dioxide to filter out of the air. Time on exercise machines has to be meticulously managed to ensure everyone stays fit in the weightless environment.
Getting Starliner through the testing phase has been a relentless battle for Boeing, though its representatives have not always been forthcoming on why the program has suffered so many setbacks. A string of issues has spanned a decade.
After the Space Shuttle retired in 2011, NASA hitched all of its rides on Russian rockets to the space station, costing the United States tens of millions of dollars per ride. Some considered it a national embarrassment.
With Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams, there are nine people at the International Space Station right now. Credit: NASANASA hired Boeing and SpaceX to build commercial spaceships to carry astronauts to and from the station in 2014. While SpaceX's capsule went into service four years ago, Boeing's Starliner has yet to obtain certification for regular flight operations. NASA never intended to have all its eggs in Elon Musk's basket and says Starliner is still crucial to have as a backup.
In a U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission filing, Boeing said Starliner's problems cost the company $125 million in the last quarter, with a likelihood that it would "record additional losses in future periods."
When asked which way Wilmore and Williams' wanted to travel back to Earth, Joe Acaba, NASA's chief astronaut, said it wasn't up to them.
"This is not really a preference thing," he told reporters on Aug. 14. "They are going to wait for us to analyze the data and to come up with the decision, and, again, they will do what we ask."
Is there anything that embodies “prestige viewing” more than the limited series? With a clear endpoint, writers don’t need to bloat their plots to plant seeds for future conflicts. Their characters can strive for clear, definable goals. Production budgets don’t need to keep yearly renewal in mind. A limited series makes for fantastic television because it has the luxury of hyperfocus — if we’re only telling one story, let’s tell that story really dang well.
That’s perhaps why limited series lend themselves so elegantly to book adaptations. There’s more space for details than a movie, but no need to invent storylines for additional seasons. And since we think everyone should get to enjoy this stellar class of entertainment, we’ve put together the absolute best limited series you can stream; all the top-tier dramas, histories, romances, murder mysteries and more that your prestige-loving heart desires.
SEE ALSO: The 13 best TV shows of 2024 (so far)Note: All anthologies and multi-season series have been disqualified from consideration. Additionally, documentaries have not been included. We've got separate recommendations for that.
35. One Day Credit: NetflixOn their last day at the University of Edinburgh, aristocratic playboy Dexter Mayhew (Leo Woodall) and idealistic bookworm Emma Morley (Ambika Mod) unexpectedly spend the night together. Despite their being total opposites, the pair hit it off and eventually go their separate ways — as friends. But that’s not the end of their story.
Based on the popular David Nicholls' novel of the same name, One Day is a lovely and emotional romance. By following one day from each year of Emma and Dexter's relationship, we see how their age changes their approach to life, to each other, and to love. A charmer and a tearjerker. — Kristina Grosspietsch, Contributing Writer
How long: About six hours and 40 minutes, over 14 episodes
How to watch: One Day is now streaming on Netflix.
34. Baby ReindeerAdapted from his one-man play of the same name, Richard Gadd's Baby Reindeer is one of most complex, bruising, and captivating watches of 2024. Gadd is Donny Dunn, a bartender and floundering comedian who feels compelled to show kindness to a customer, Martha. Right away, Donny can tell Martha (Jessica Gunning) is a pathological liar, but he soon comes to find she's also an unstable stalker. Tens of thousands of unanswered emails later, Donny asks himself, why did he reach out to her in the first place, and why hasn't he reported her to the police?
An unflinching exploration of trauma, Baby Reindeer gives us no clean resolution. As Mashable's Sam Haysom writes, "It's difficult to find fault with Baby Reindeer. The acting is brilliant across the board, Gadd's writing is excellent, and the only thing that might put some people off is the darkness of the subject matter. The show is raw and honest, and the characters don't always make the decisions we want them to make." It might be hard to watch, but it's even harder to look away. — K.G.
How long: About four hours, over seven episodes
How to watch: Baby Reindeer is now streaming on Netflix.
33. Mary and George Credit: StarzThe horniest period drama of 2024 is Starz's Mary & George, a truly excellent, darkly comedic tale about a mother and son using every tool at their disposal (sex) to gain power. In 17th-century England, Mary Villiers has big plans for her second son, George. His good looks are undeniable, and guided by Mary's strategizing, can be used as a weapon to raise the family's station. But Mary's not trying to snare a mere earl or duke! No, she's got her sights set on the king himself, whose taste for beautiful men is an open secret.
Based on the nonfiction book The King's Assassin by Benjamin Woolley, Mary & George is stylish, moody, and deliciously wicked. Julianne Moore is pitch-perfect as the coldly plotting mother, while Nicholas Galitzine is magnetic as her gorgeous but angsty son. A sexy and delightful watch! — K.G.
How long: Just over six hours, over seven episodes
How to watch: Mary & George is now streaming on Starz.
32. Fellow TravelersIn the Lavender Scare of the 1950s, thousands of LGBTQ government employees were deemed "security risks" and unceremoniously fired. And it's against this backdrop of McCarthy-era paranoia and secrecy that Hawk Fuller, a World War II veteran, and Tim Laughlin, a Congressional staffer, meet and fall in love.
A decades-long romance ensues; it's a high-stakes affair that puts their jobs and livelihoods on the line. Fellow Travelers is a moving story of love and truth featuring Matt Bomer, Jonathan Bailey, and their scintillating chemistry. — K.G.
How long: About six hours, over eight episodes
How to watch: Fellow Travelers is now streaming on Paramount+.
31. Maid Credit: Ricardo Hubbs/NetflixCreated by Molly Smith Metzler and adapted from Stephanie Land’s bestselling memoir Maid: Hard Work, Low Pay, and a Mother's Will to Survive, Maid is an absolute gut punch that will likely make you cry more than once. Margaret Qualley is excellent as Alex, a young woman struggling to leave an abusive relationship while continuing to care for toddler daughter; she’s paired with her real-life mother Andie McDowell, who is fantastic as Alex’s well-meaning but unreliable mom.
We follow Alex’s agonizing journey from navigating a women’s shelter to facing the baffling catch-22’s of the American welfare system (she can’t get state-sponsored child care without a job, but she can’t get a job without child care), and more. It’s a powerful meditation on perseverance, as well as a brutal examination of how incredibly short the United States falls in supporting those struggling to survive.* — K.G.
How long: Nine hours, over 10 episodes.
How to watch: Maid is now streaming on Netflix.
30. Station Eleven Credit: Ian Watson/HBO MaxWhether or not you have read Emily St. John Mandel's celebrated novel of the same name, this lavish adaptation proved must-see TV. (Well, not TV — must-see HBO!) Station Eleven creator/showrunner Patrick Somerville thoughtfully reimagined the setting and some stirring specifics of Mandel's dystopian drama, making for a story familiar yet surprising.
In a world ravaged by plague, a scrappy theater troupe — called the Traveling Symphony — tours settlements to bring the pleasures of Shakespeare to the survivors. But how did humankind come to this place of ruin and revival? Weaving past and present in a ragged but riveting tapestry, this mini-series gave an almost alarmingly optimistic look at the apocalypse. Grounding the sensational storytelling is a critically heralded cast that includes Mackenzie Davis, Matilda Lawler, Himesh Patel, Gael García Bernal, and Danielle Deadwyler. * — Kristy Puchko, Film Editor
How long: Nine hours, over 10 episodes.
How to watch: Station Eleven is now streaming on Max.
29. Under the Banner of Heaven Credit: Michelle Faye/FXDetective Jeb Pyre (a stirring Andrew Garfield) begins to question his faith and his church while investigating a brutal murder in his small Mormon community in Under the Banner of Heaven.
The FX series is a haunting adaptation of Jon Krakauer's non-fiction book that investigates the very real murder of Brenda Wright and her baby in Utah in 1984. As a fictionalized retelling, Under the Banner of Heaven weaves a story of religious extremism, generational trauma, the power and limitations of faith, and above all else, of a bright, kind young woman who got caught in the middle. Creator Dustin Lance Black’s (Milk) take is complex, deeply affecting, and beautifully shot, with glimpses of Latter-day Saint historical figures flashing through Detective Pyre’s mind, as he struggles to reconcile his beliefs with his suspicions about the involvement of the church. Sam Worthington, Daisy Edgar-Jones, Gil Birmingham, Denise Gough, and Wyatt Russell each give remarkable performances, making Heaven a truly unforgettable watch. — K.G
How long: Seven and a half hours, over seven episodes.
How to watch: Under the Banner of Heaven is now streaming on Hulu.
28. Mrs. America Credit: Sabrina Lantos / FXThis FX miniseries dramatizes the '70s feminist attempts to ratify the Equal Rights Amendment and conservative spokeswoman Phyllis Schlafly's campaign to stop the ERA in its tracks.
Cate Blanchett plays Schlafly, whose conservative values clashed with the idea that political, civil, and legal rights should be equally extended to American men and women. Rose Byrne plays legendary feminist activist Gloria Steinem, who supported the law. Mrs. America tells a heightened version of the incredible history of the ERA and the swaths of American women who fought for and opposed equal rights on the basis of sex and gender, and like many historical dramas is as entertaining as it is occasionally infuriating. * — Alexis Nedd, Senior Entertainment Reporter
How long: Seven and a half hours, over nine episodes.
How to watch: Mrs. America is now streaming on Hulu.
27. A Very English Scandal Credit: BBCA fascinating dramatization of a trial that consumed British media cycles in the late '60s early '70s, when homosexuality was decriminalised in England but not legal. Russell T Davies' A Very English Scandal tells the story of Jeremy Thorpe, a liberal member of Parliament, and his secret former lover, Norman Josiffe, who publicly accused Thorpe of attempting to murder him. It's a compelling, surprising, and unexpectedly bubbly retelling of an abusive relationship and a government official's spectacular fall from grace. Hugh Grant is wonderful as the slimy MP, while Ben Whishaw is positively magnetic as a complex victim with a dramatic flair.* — K.G.
How long: Three hours, over three episodes.
How to watch: A Very English Scandal is now streaming on Prime Video.
SEE ALSO: The 15 best British TV shows of 2024 (so far) — and how to watch them 26. From Scratch Credit: Stefano Montesi/NetflixZoe Saldaña has spent much of the last few years in green makeup (for Guardians of the Galaxy) or in a motion capture suit (for Avatar). But in this beautiful, heart-wrenching adaptation of Tembi Locke’s memoir, Saldaña is just a human in love — and it is captivating.
As Amy, Saldaña travels to Florence to study art against her father’s advice. There she meets Lino (Eugenio Mastrandrea in an electric and swoon-worthy performance), a passionate Sicilian chef who's all in on Amy after his first glance. After a few false starts, a profoundly moving romance ensues, and we watch the pair’s love grow and evolve as life throws challenges their way. From Scratch is enthralling in its intensity, boasts a stellar cast (Danielle Deadwyler, Keith David, Giacomo Gianniotti, and more), and luxuriates in its gorgeous shots of food. You will fall in love with this couple and simply will not be able to stop watching or move on with your life until you find out how their story ends.* — K.G.
How long: Eight hours, over eight episodes.
How to watch: From Scratch is now streaming on Netflix.
25. Mare of Easttown Credit: HBO25 years ago, Mare Sheehan (Kate Winslet) was a star high school athlete with a promising future ahead of her. Nowadays, she’s a bitter, divorced detective whose name is being dragged through the mud over a missing persons case she couldn’t solve. When another local girl vanishes, Mare must push aside personal dramas — and inner demons — to crack the case. This small but gruff blue-collar town outside of Philadelphia is the kind of place where everyone knows everyone, so surely someone must know something.
Creator Brad Ingelsby brings together a crackling cast that includes Julianne Nicholson, Jean Smart, Angourie Rice, Guy Pearce, and Evan Peters. Together, they build an enveloping atmosphere of snark and suspicion and a darkly amusing crime drama that had tongues wagging, critics cheering, and jaws dropping. It’s no mystery how Mare of Easttown earned 16 Emmy nominations.* — K.P.
How long: Seven hours, over seven episodes.
How to watch: Mare of Easttown is now streaming on Max.
24. Transatlantic Credit: Anika MolnarThe year is 1940. France has been invaded by Germany, and all out war is imminent. But hope remains at the Hotel Splendide in Marseille, where a scrappy, ambitious org called the Emergency Rescue Committee is corralling all its resources, legal and…not so legal, to evacuate artists, writers, and thinkers wanted by the Nazis. Led by Mary Jayne Gold (Gillian Jacobs), Varian Fry (Cory Michael Smith), and Albert Albert Hirschman (Lucas Englander), the ERC refuses to abandon their mission, even as the stakes grow ever higher for them and their charges.
Transatlantic is a stylish and captivating drama is based on a remarkable true story. The Emergency Rescue Committee helped find safe passage for Hannah Arendt, Max Ernst, Marcel Duchamp, Marc Chagall, and countless other dissenters targeted by the Nazis for the audacity of their ideas. Created by Anna Winger (Unorthodox) and Daniel Hendler, and adapted from Julie Orringer’s original historical fiction novel The Flight Portfolio, Transatlantic is an affecting and scenic mini-series with a sensational international cast.* — K.G.
How long: Six hours, over seven episodes.
How to watch: Transatlantic is now streaming on Netflix.
23. The Patient Credit: Suzanne Tenner / FXDisturbing and fascinating, The Patient is one of those thrillers you can’t drag your eyes away from. Steve Carrell is Dr. Alan Strauss, a psychotherapist who wakes up one morning chained in a basement by a patient, serial killer Sam Fortner (Domhnall Gleeson), and forced to provide therapy or else Sam will give into his violent and homicidal urges. The stakes are high, but the therapy is captivating. There’s no way out for Alan other than through, and he genuinely tries to tend to his patient while dealing with his own grief and attempting to escape. From The Americans' Joel Fields and Joe Weisberg, The Patient will hook you in its first enigmatic minutes, and the tight, superbly-acted half hour installments will keep you pressing “next episode” before you can even think to stop yourself. And why would you?! — K.G.
How long: Five hours, over ten episodes.
How to watch: The Patient is now streaming on Hulu.
22. I May Destroy You Credit: HBOEnglish writer/actor/producer Michaela Coel first broke through with her cheeky, sex-centric comedy series Chewing Gum. With this addictive follow-up, her provocative humor turns to darker corners, exploring the issues of social media influence, anti-Black racism, consent, and rape culture.
In I May Destroy You, Coel stars as Arabella Essiedu, a twenty-something writer who relishes a wild night out on the town. But when one such night ends with a blackout, bloody forehead, and troubling flashbacks, Arabella pieces together her experience of sexual assault, turning to her friends, new lovers, and dubious distractions to cope. Coel writes with poignant realism, as the series followed her own sexual assault, which happened while filming Chewing Gum. Surrounded by a suitably superb cast, which includes Weruche Opia and Paapa Essiedu, Coel delivers an electrifying portrayal of a woman on the verge. Her critically heralded 12-part creation has won two BAFTAs, one for her lead performance, the other for Best Mini-Series, as well as a slew of Emmy nominations. * — K.P.
How long: Six hours, over 12 episodes.
How to watch: I May Destroy You is now streaming on Max.
21. The Haunting of Hill House Credit: Steve Dietl/NetflixIf you don't mind yelping in fright every so often, open the front door on Netflix's The Haunting of Hill House. A genuinely frightening drama from creator Mike Flanagan, based on Shirley Jackson's 1959 novel, the series centres around the concept of family trauma and grief. But there are plenty of scares too, and a mystery that will genuinely chill you, about five siblings and their parents who live in a truly haunted house. Hill House will keep you on the edge of your couch until the last showdown.* — Shannon Connellan, Editor Mashable UK
How long: 10 hours, over 10 episodes.
How to watch: The Haunting of Hill House is now streaming on Netflix.
20. The English Credit: Diego Lopez Calvin/Drama Republic/Amazon Studios/BBCWhen we first meet Emily Blunt’s Lady Cornelia Locke, she’s wearing a bright pink, frilly 1890s frock, a stark contrast to the searing blue sky and arid yellow earth of the remote American West outpost where her story begins. She does not belong in this ruthless, lawless place. But she traveled all the way from England for revenge on the man responsible for her son’s death — and she will stop at nothing to get it. Luckily, she meets Eli Whipp (Chaske Spencer), a Pawnee man and former cavalry scout for the Union army who has his own score to settle. Together, the unlikely pair travel through hostile territory, unraveling their painful pasts and finding solace in each other's strength.
From director Hugo Blick, The English is a stunning, emotional, and brutal Western that defies expectations. You will not be able to guess where it’s going, or where it came from — but you will be utterly hypnotized by the power of Blunt and Spencer’s performances. — K.G.
How long: About five hours, over six episodes.
How to watch: The English is now streaming on Amazon Prime.
19. The Dropout Credit: Beth Dubber/HuluBy now you’ve certainly heard about Elizabeth Holmes, disgraced, turtleneck-wearing founder of the scam medtech company Theranos who was convicted of fraud in 2022, sentenced to 11.25 years in prison. And just two months after her guilty verdict landed, a strange and excellent miniseries chronicling her rise and fall dropped on Hulu. Whoever scheduled The Dropout’s premiere date deserves a raise.
Amanda Seyfried earned an Emmy for her deep-voiced, disquieting, and magnetic portrayal of Holmes. This mini-series is a wild ride that keeps your jaw firmly dropped to the ground the whole way through — but we can’t stress this enough, this is all based on a true (and truly bonkers) story. * — K.G.
How long: Six hours, over eight episodes.
How to watch: The Dropout is now streaming on Hulu.
18. Unorthodox Credit: Anika Molnar/NetflixThe first Netflix series whose primary language was Yiddish, Unorthodox is an empathetic, moving story of a 19-year-old woman fleeing the oppression of her Hasidic Jewish ultra-Orthodox community in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. She travels all the way to Berlin to find safe haven, but when her former husband learns she is pregnant, he journeys to Germany to bring her back. Based loosely on Deborah Feldman’s memoir, Unorthodox: The Scandalous Rejection of My Hasidic Roots, this ground-breaking limited series treats its subject matter with respect and intimacy. There is no villain here, only people shaped by the worlds they grew up in. — K.G.
How long: Four hours, over four episodes.
How to watch: Unorthodox is now streaming on Netflix.
17. The Night Of Credit: HBOThe buzziest watch of 2016, The Night Of is a hall-of-famer when it comes to prestige limited series. Based on the first season of an award-winning British show, Criminal Justice, The Night Of follows Nasir "Naz" Khan (Riz Ahmed), a Pakistani-American student who spends a wild night with an enigmatic woman and awakes the next morning to find her stabbed to death. With no recollection of events, Naz panics, runs, and is quickly picked up by police. There’s not much hope for his puzzling case, until a seasoned public defender (John Tuturro) agrees to take Naz’s cause.
SEE ALSO: 75 TV shows you can binge from start to finish on a flightGripping, patient, and devastating, The Night Of is an irresistible mystery that takes the crime drama formula and digs deeper, mining more emotion, more complexity than the standard detective fare. It’s no wonder that it was an awards season darling, taking home five Emmys, including outstanding lead actor in a limited series for Ahmed. — K.G.
How long: Nine hours, over eight episodes.
How to watch: The Night Of is now streaming on Max.
16. 1883 Credit: Courtesy of Emerson Miller/Paramount+Though it's technically a prequel, there's no need to watch Yellowstone to appreciate this sweeping Paramount+ original. 1883 is a massive undertaking, making headlines for its unprecedented budget ($10 million an episode!) and scale of production. Luckily, Paramount's big investment has paid off. 1883 is a scenic, moody drama about the Dutton family's journey west from Fort Worth to Oregon. Elsa Dutton (Isabel May) is our protagonist, narrating over ruminative sunset shots over endless plains, vibrating with hope for a trek the show ultimately warns us will only bring doom. Rattlesnakes, bandits, covered wagon accidents — 1883 depicts the brutal, stark reality of the real Oregon Trail.
Sam Elliott is perfectly cast as the hardened covered wagon boss — his mustache has never been more fitting — and LaMonica Garrett is magnetic in an exciting role that promises to undo decades of Black cowboy erasure. As Elsa's parents, Tim McGraw and Faith Hill's comfort on horseback and in Stetsons help them fit right in alongside the veteran cast. Making adequate space to address the complex nuances of the often-violent conflicts between settlers and Native Americans, 1883 is a modern, ruminative Western whose gorgeous landscape is just as important as its affecting human drama. * — K.G.
How long: Nine hours, over 10 episodes.
How to watch: 1883 is now streaming on Paramount+.
15. The Queen’s Gambit Credit: Charlie Gray/NetflixAnya Taylor-Joy became a household name from this popular, award-winning limited drama series based on a Walter Tevis novel from the '80s. Taylor-Joy is Beth Harmon, a cold, withdrawn orphan who strives to become a world chess champion and struggles with addiction. We’re on Beth’s journey from the beginning, starting with her time in a 1950s orphanage that freely gives tranquilizers to kids to dull their behavior, then following her into her adoptive family, all while she builds her skill and thirst for the game of chess. Though The Queen’s Gambit miraculously manages to make slow, cerebral chess matches absolutely thrilling, the hook here is the humanity of the characters and the captivating story of a girl demanding more from life than she was handed. Moses Ingram, Bill Camp, Marielle Heller, Harry Melling, Thomas Brodie-Sangster, and more fill out the talented cast from this top-notch watch that single-handedly caused chess set sales to skyrocket 1000 percent when it debuted. — K.G.
How long: Six and a half hours, over seven episodes.
How to watch: The Queen’s Gambit is now streaming on Netflix.
14. Midnight Mass Credit: Eike Schroter/NetflixWriter/director Mike Flanagan (The Haunting of Hill House) is known for creating spine-tingling, bone-rattling horror without many jump scares, and Midnight Mass is no exception. Friday Night Lights' Zach Gilford is Riley Flynn, a former investment banker returning to his hometown who now feels slightly out of place in the religious Catholic community. Around the same time, a young, charming priest (Hamish Linklater) arrives to bring energy and life to the Crockett Island congregation, and strange occurrences are spotted all over town. Mysterious sightings and unexpectedly dead animals spread fear while religious "miracles" spread fervor. It’s only a matter of time before someone gets hurt. Philosophical, sophisticated, and terrifying, Midnight Mass is both a slow-burn horror series and a moving meditation on grief. — K.G.
How long: Seven and a half hours, over seven episodes.
How to watch: Midnight Mass is now streaming on Netflix.
13. Godless Credit: Ursula Coyote/NetflixGilded with violence, glory, and cowgirls, Godless puts a feminist spin on the western. Divided into seven parts, the story of Frank Griffin (Jeff Daniels) pursuing his rival Roy Goode (Jack O'Connell) into the all-female town of La Belle, New Mexico brings inventive framing to the storytelling staples we love. Not to mention, the performance by Merritt Wever is to die for. —Alison Foreman, Entertainment Reporter
How long: Around nine hours, over seven episodes.
How to watch: Godless is now streaming on Netflix.
12. Tiny Beautiful Things Credit: Elizabeth Morris / HuluAward-winning writer Cheryl Strayed is best known for her brazenly honest and poignant memoir, Wild, about hiking the Pacific Coast Trail while processing the tragedies of her past. But fans know some of her most moving work was done as Dear Sugar, an anonymous advice columnist whose empathetic, personal, and raw responses redefined the advice genre. The most beloved of her Dear Sugar answers were compiled into an excellent book, Tiny Beautiful Things, which was adapted into an excellent miniseries in 2023.
Pitched as the story of an alternate Cheryl Strayed who never hiked the PCT, the Hulu show centers on a lapsed writer, Clare (played by a superb Katherine Hahn), whose life is a complete mess. Her husband has kicked her out, her daughter barely tolerates her, and her past trauma is threatening to drown her completely. But when Clare accepts an offer to be an anonymous advice columnist, she finds unexpected hope and a reminder that she might still have something to offer the world. Produced by Wild collaborators Reese Witherspoon and Laura Dern, and created by Liz Tigelaar, Tiny Beautiful Things is an emotional hurricane, bringing you to laughter and tears within each tight, wonderfully crafted episode. — K.G.
How long: Four hours, over eight episodes.
How to watch: Tiny Beautiful Things is now streaming on Hulu.
11. Maniac Credit: NetflixSomewhere between a Black Mirror episode and Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, Netflix's Maniac combines psychological thrills with a stunning tale of connection. Emma Stone and Jonah Hill appear as participants in a drug trial operated by scientists with questionable methods and one testy computer. Stunning sequences and savvy performances make this an impactful yet fun binge. — A.F.
How long: Six and a half hours, over 10 episodes.
How to watch: Maniac is now streaming on Netflix.
10. Catch-22 Credit: Philipe Antonello / HuluJoseph Heller readers will delight in Hulu's faithful adaptation of his beloved novel. And those new to the dark world of Catch-22? Well, they'll soon be scrambling for the online book store. In this six-part World War II epic, bomb plane pilot John Yossarian (Christopher Abbott) struggles to survive an escalating conflict managed by those with less at risk. At once stupidly funny and painfully frightening, this is a good pick for anyone interested in feeling [gestures wildly] too much. — A.F.
How long: Four and a half hours, over six episodes.
How to watch: Catch-22 is now streaming on Hulu.
9. Fosse/Verdon Credit: FXSam Rockwell and Michelle Williams lead as Broadway legends Bob Fosse and Gwen Verdon in this reflection on a legacy. Told in a non-linear structure, Fosse/Verdon considers both the professional and personal sides of the esteemed entertainment power couple — examining how we attribute credit to men and women differently as well as what it means to separate the artist from their work. Perfection for Broadway fans. Pretty great for everyone else.* — A.F.
How long: Six and a half hours, over eight episodes.
How to watch: Fosse/Verdon is now streaming on Hulu.
8. Sharp Objects Credit: HBOCreated from Gillian Flynn's novel of the same name, Sharp Objects is the psychological thriller/family drama still haunting us nearly two years later. Heart-stopping performances Amy Adams, Patricia Clarkson, and Eliza Scanlen slowly but surely morph this murder mystery into a grim journey through unbearable trauma. And that ending? I can't even begin. — A.F.
How long: Seven and a half hours, over eight episodes.
How to watch: Sharp Objects is now streaming on Max.
7. Feud: Bette and Joan Credit: Suzanne Tenner/FXIt's Jessica Lange and Susan Sarandon, so you shouldn't need much more convincing — but we'll do it anyway! For fun! Playing Hollywood icons Joan Crawford and Bette Davis, Lange and Sarandon recreate the cutthroat drama that went on behind the scenes of Robert Aldrich's Whatever Happened to Baby Jane? It's a devilishly good time full of camp and cunning that still makes room for poignant reflections on the series' namesakes. (For what it's worth, Feud is supposed to be an anthology, but we haven't heard much on that front as of late.) — A.F.
How long: Seven hours, over eight episodes.
How to watch: Feud: Bette and Joan is now streaming on Hulu.
6. Unbelievable Credit: Beth Dubber/NetflixBased on An Unbelievable Story of Rape, factual reporting published by ProPublica and The Marshall Project in 2015, Unbelievable examines a disastrous investigation into one young woman's (Kaitlyn Dever) allegation of rape. Toni Collette and Merritt Wever star as the detectives hunting down a serial predator potentially related to case. Suspenseful and substantive, this eight-part series is essential knowledge for social justice seekers. — A.F.
How long: Six and a half hours, over eight episodes.
How to watch: Unbelievable is now streaming on Netflix.
5. Alias Grace Credit: Sabrina Lantos/NetflixIf you're counting down the days until Hulu's The Handmaid's Tale returns, then consider doubling back for Netflix's Alias Grace. Based on Margaret Atwood's novel of the same name, this work of historical fiction reimagines the 1843 murders of a man and his housekeeper. With sensational social commentary and magnificent lead performances, this is a show worth making time for. And at just four and a half hours, it's not even asking that much. — A.F.
How long: Four and a half hours, over six episodes.
How to watch: Alias Grace is now streaming on Netflix.
4. Escape at Dannemora Credit: ShowtimeActing powerhouses Benicio del Toro, Paul Dano, and Patricia Arquette team up to tell the true story of the 2015 Clinton Correctional Facility escape. Beginning with a slippery love triangle and ending with a multi-week manhunt, Escape at Dannemora is a gripping personal drama with terrifying implications. Oh, and Michael Imperioli playing Governor Andrew Cuomo is just [chef's kiss]. — A.F.
How long: Seven hours, over seven episodes.
How to watch: Escape at Dannemora is now streaming on Paramount+.
3. When They See Us Credit: Atsushi Nishijima/NetflixCreated and directed by Ava DuVernay, When They See Us casts light on the tragic case of the so-called Central Park Five. Outstanding performances by numerous cast members, but especially Asante Blackk and Caleel Harris as the wrongfully convicted Kevin Richardson and Antron McCray, make this a masterclass in setting the record straight with both fact and feeling. — A.F.
How long: Five hours, over four episodes.
How to watch: When They See Us is now streaming on Netflix.
2. Chernobyl Credit: HBOMany know the conceptual horror of the USSR's 1986 nuclear accident, but HBO's Chernobyl gives it a face you can't unsee. In this devastating five-part historical drama, an exquisite ensemble — including Jared Harris, Emily Watson, Paul Ritter, Jessie Buckley, and Stellan Skarsgård — reenact the incident and its catastrophic fallout in horrific detail. — A.F.
How long: Five and a half hours, over five episodes.
How to watch: Chernobyl is now streaming on Max.
1. Watchmen Credit: Mark Hill/HBOWe're still hoping Damon Lindelof will change his mind and turn Watchmen into an anthology series. But until then, we'll just have to settle for the mind-bending beauty that are the show's nine existing episodes. Regina King stars as Angela Abar (aka "Sister Night") in this extension of Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons' iconic comic book series. A meditation on trauma, Watchmen isn't for the faint of heart. — A.F.
How long: Nine hours, over nine episodes.
How to watch: Watchmen is now streaming on Max.
UPDATE: Aug. 15, 2024, 2:04 p.m. EDT This list was first published on March 28, 2020. It has since been updated to reflect streaming options.
TL;DR: Live stream the New York Giants vs. the Houston Texans for free. You can watch the NFL preseason games for free from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.
It was a strong start to the preseason from both the Giants and Texans, with respective wins over the Lions and Steelers in Week 1. Both teams had standout performances, which means — while it's only preseason competition — there are players to watch from both sides, who could do big things once the real season kicks off.
Tommy DeVito looked solid for the Giants and could be central to plays in this game against the Texans. Quarterback Daniel Jones also returns to action for the Giants following an ACL injury last season, which makes this game a test for Jones too.
The Texans meanwhile have quarterback C.J. Stroud and wide receiver Tank Dell, a sharp combo in their Week 1 games against the Steelers, while David Mills and Case Keenum look to prove their value as the Texans' No. 2 quarterback.
If you want to watch the NFL preseason for free from anywhere around the world, here's all the information you need.
When is the Giants vs. the Texans?The New York Giants vs. the Houston Texans takes place at 1 p.m. ET on August 17. This fixture will be played at the NRG Stadium in Houston, Texas.
How to watch the Giants vs. the Texans for freeTo watch the NFL preseason games for free, simply sign up for free trials with either DirecTV Stream, Hulu + Live TV, or fubo. You can register for free trials with each of these subscription-based platforms, one trial at a time, which will give you time to watch the remaining two weeks of the NFL preseason without spending anything. Just remember to cancel these trials before you incur any subscription costs.
Or you can register at DAZN, which is showing the NFL preseason for free to viewers outside the US, Canada, and China.
All of these streaming services are geo-restricted to specific countries, so you'll also need to first sign up for a VPN in order to access them. A VPN is a handy tool that can mask your real IP address (digital location) and then connect you to a secure server in another country, which allows you to bypass restrictions and unblock free streaming services from around the world.
Access free live streams of the NFL by following these simple steps:
Subscribe to a streaming-friendly VPN (like ExpressVPN)
Download the app to your device of choice (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)
Open up the app and connect to a server in a location with free coverage of the NFL preseason
Visit DirecTV Stream, Hulu + Live TV, fubo, or DAZN.
Watch the NFL preseason for free from anywhere in the world.
The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but the top VPN providers offer incentive deals such as free trial periods or money-back guarantees. Leverage these deals to gain access to NFL preseason live streams without spending anything in the long run. This is a short-term solution, but you'll be able to watch the NFL preseason fixtures before recovering any upfront 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 on sale for $99.95 — an overall saving of 49%. The plan is available for a limited time and also includes an extra three months at no additional cost, plus a year of unlimited cloud backup, and a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Live stream the NFL preseason for free from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.
TL;DR: Live stream the Buffalo Bills vs. the Pittsburgh Steelers for free. You can watch the NFL preseason games for free from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.
The NFL preseason is now well underway, with a second weekend of games that includes the Buffalo Bills vs. the Pittsburgh Steelers.
The Bills took a heavy loss to the Chicago Bears in the first week, which is sometimes all the incentive a team needs to come out fighting the next week. The Steelers meanwhile — who lost in Week 1 to the Texans — are dealing with some injuries, including first round pick offensive tackle, Troy Fautanu.
But as always with preseason, it's a chance to regroup, try some things on the field, and gain some momentum before the season kicks off for real.
The good news is that you can watch the NFL preseason action without spending anything. If you want to watch the NFL preseason for free — no matter where you are in the world — here's all the information you need.
When is the Bills vs. the Steelers?The Buffalo Bills vs. the Pittsburgh Steelers takes place at 7 p.m. ET on August 17. This fixture will be played at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
How to watch the Bills vs. the Steelers for freeTo watch the NFL preseason games for free, you'll need to sign up for free trials at DirecTV Stream, Hulu + Live TV, or fubo. You can sign up for each of these free trials, one at a time, which will give you enough time to watch the remaining weekends of the NFL preseason for free. But don't forget to cancel your memberships before incurring any subscription charges.
Alternatively, you can register at DAZN, which is showing the NFL preseason for free for viewers outside the US, Canada, and China.
As all these streaming services are geo-blocked within specific regions, you'll need to sign up for a VPN to access them. VPNs are very useful tools that can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to secure servers in other countries, enabling you to unblock free streaming services from around the globe.
Access free live streams of the NFL by following these simple steps:
Subscribe to a streaming-friendly VPN (like ExpressVPN)
Download the app to your device of choice (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)
Open up the app and connect to a server in a location with free coverage of the NFL preseason
Visit DirecTV Stream, Hulu + Live TV, fubo, or DAZN.
Watch the NFL preseason for free from anywhere in the world.
The best VPNs for streaming are not actually free to use, but the top VPN services usually offer free trial periods or money-back guarantees. Simply take advantage of these deals to gain access to the NFL preseason live streams without committing any cash in the long run. This is obviously a short-term solution, but it does give you enough time to watch NFL preseason games before you recover 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 on sale for $99.95, which includes a bonus three months at no extra cost. That's an impressive discount of 49% but for a limited time only. This plan also gives you a year of unlimited cloud backup and a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Live stream the NFL preseason for free from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.
TL;DR: Live stream the Detroit Lions vs. the Kansas City Chiefs for free. You can watch the NFL preseason games for free from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.
This year's Super Bowl winners, the Kansas City Chiefs, are back in action this week in the preseason, hosting the Detroit Lions.
The Chiefs are among the favorites to win the Super Bowl again this season, though the Lions scored the win in these teams' last meeting. Both the Chiefs and the Lions lost their Week 1 games, so they'll be looking to notch up a win in Week 2.
The Chiefs also have an injury to cover, after wide receiver Marquise Brown dislocated his shoulder in his Chiefs debut last week.
The good news is, you can watch the NFL preseason action without spending anything. If you want to watch the NFL for free from anywhere in the world, here's all the information you need.
When is the Lions vs. the Chiefs?The Detroit Lions vs. the Kansas City Chiefs takes place at 4 p.m. ET on August 17. This fixture will be played at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium in in Kansas City, Missouri.
How to watch the Lions vs. the Chiefs for freeTo watch the NFL preseason games for free, you'll need to sign up for free trials at DirecTV Stream, Hulu + Live TV, or fubo. You can sign up for each trial to watch, week-by-week, which will give you enough time to watch each remaining weekend of the NFL preseason. Just remember to cancel your memberships to avoid incurring any charges once the free trials end.
Alternatively, you can register at DAZN, which is showing the NFL preseason for free to viewers outside the US, Canada, and China.
All of these streaming services are geo-blocked to specific regions, but you can still access these platforms with a VPN, no matter where you are in the world. VPNs are useful tools that can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to secure servers in other countries, allowing you to unblock free streaming services from around the globe.
Access free live streams of the NFL by following these simple steps:
Subscribe to a streaming-friendly VPN (like ExpressVPN)
Download the app to your device of choice (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)
Open up the app and connect to a server in a location with free coverage of the NFL preseason
Visit DirecTV Stream, Hulu + Live TV, fubo, or DAZN.
Watch the NFL preseason for free from anywhere in the world.
The best VPNs for streaming are not actually free to use, but leading VPN services usually offer free trial periods or money-back guarantees. You can take advantage of these deals to gain access to live streams of the NFL preseason without committing with your cash in the long run. This is obviously a short-term solution, but it does give you time to watch NFL preseason 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 on sale for $99.95 and includes a bonus three months at no extra cost — that's an impressive 49% off for a limited time only. This plan also includes a year of unlimited cloud backup and a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Live stream the NFL preseason for free from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.
TL;DR: Live stream the Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. the Jacksonville Jaguars for free. You can watch the NFL preseason games for free from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have been enjoying one of the best periods in franchise history, following four consecutive seasons in the playoffs, three consecutive NFC South titles, and a best-ever streak of 9-8 last season. Can the Buccaneers repeat that success in 2024? The preseason could give fans a flavour of what's to come. And last week they notched up a preseason win over the Bengals.
The Jacksonville Jaguars also scored a win last week, with their quarterbacks leading a victory over the Super Bowl winners, the Kansas City Chiefs. It's the first step in improving on a disappointing end to last season for the Jaguars. Can they show further improvements against the Buccaneers in this Florida showdown?
If you want to watch the NFL preseason games for free, no matter where you are around the world, here's all the information you need.
When is the Buccaneers vs. the Jaguars?The Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. the Jacksonville Jaguars takes place at 7:30 p.m. ET on August 17. This fixture will be played at the EverBank Stadium in Jacksonville, Florida.
How to watch the Buccaneers vs. the Jaguars for freeTo watch the NFL preseason games for free, you can sign up for free trials with DirecTV Stream, Hulu + Live TV, or fubo. You can register for free trials with each of these subscription-based platforms, one trial at a time, which will cover the remaining weeks of the NFL preseason. Just remember to cancel these trials before you incur any subscription costs.
Alternatively, you can register at DAZN, which is showing the NFL preseason fixtures for free to viewers outside the U.S., Canada, and China.
All of these streaming services are geo-restricted to specific countries, so you'll need to first sign up for a VPN in order to access them. If you've never used one before, a VPN is a handy tool that can mask your real IP address (digital location) and then connect you to a secure server in another country, allowing you to bypass geo-restrictions and unblock streaming services from around the world.
Access free live streams of the NFL by following these simple steps:
Subscribe to a streaming-friendly VPN (like ExpressVPN)
Download the app to your device of choice (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)
Open up the app and connect to a server in a location with free coverage of the NFL preseason
Visit DirecTV Stream, Hulu + Live TV, fubo, or DAZN.
Watch the NFL preseason for free from anywhere in the world.
The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but the leading VPN providers usually offer incentive deals such as free trial periods or money-back guarantees. Leverage these deals to gain access to NFL preseason live streams, and without spending a dime in the long run. This is a quick fix solution, but you'll be able to watch the NFL preseason 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 on sale for $99.95 — an overall saving of 49%. The plan is available for a limited time and also includes a bonus three months at no additional cost, along with a year of unlimited cloud backup, and a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Live stream the NFL preseason for free from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.
TL;DR: Live stream the Atlanta Falcons vs. the Baltimore Ravens for free. You can watch the NFL preseason games for free from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.
The second week of the NFL preseason sees the Baltimore Ravens host the Atlanta Falcons, which follows losses for both teams in the first week of preseason.
The Ravens had a great run last season, winning the AFC North and clinched No. 1 seed, before losing to the eventual Super Bowl winners, the Kansas City Chiefs, in the AFC Championship game. Last week's loss was clumsy. Sure, it's only preseason, but are they looking to come back fighting in Week 2?
The Falcons meanwhile suffered a trio of injuries in Week 1, which will shake up the defensive line in their showdown at the Ravens' home stadium.
The good news is that you can watch the NFL preseason action without spending anything. If you want to watch the NFL preseason for free, and from anywhere around the world, we have all the information you need.
When is the Falcons vs. the Ravens?The Atlanta Falcons vs. the Baltimore Ravens takes place at 12 p.m. ET on August 17. This fixture will be played at the M&T Bank Stadium Stadium in Baltimore, Maryland.
How to watch the Falcons vs. the Ravens for freeTo watch the NFL preseason games for free, you'll need to sign up for free trials with DirecTV Stream, Hulu + Live TV, or fubo. You can register for each of these free trials, one at a time, which will give you time to watch the three remaining weeks of the NFL preseason for free. But don't forget to cancel these trials before you incur any subscription charges.
Alternatively, you can register at DAZN, which is showing the NFL preseason for free to viewers outside the US, Canada, and China.
Because all these streaming services are geo-blocked to specific countries, you'll need to sign up for a VPN to access them. VPNs are handy tools that can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to secure servers in other countries, enabling you to unblock free streaming services from around the globe and access region-specific streaming platforms.
Access free live streams of the NFL by following these simple steps:
Subscribe to a streaming-friendly VPN (like ExpressVPN)
Download the app to your device of choice (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)
Open up the app and connect to a server in a location with free coverage of the NFL preseason
Visit DirecTV Stream, Hulu + Live TV, fubo, or DAZN.
Watch the NFL preseason for free from anywhere in the world.
The best VPNs for streaming are not actually free to use, but the top VPN names tend to offer deals such as free trial periods or money-back guarantees. Simply sign up to take advantage of these deals and gain access to NFL preseason live streams, all without committing any cash in the long run. This is obviously a short-term solution, but it gives you all the time you need to watch NFL preseason games before recovering any upfront 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 on sale for $99.95, which means an impressive discount of 49% for a limited time only. The plan includes a bonus three months at no extra cost, plus a year of unlimited cloud backup and a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Live stream the NFL preseason for free from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.
TL;DR: Watch Chicago Sky vs. Los Angeles Sparks in the WNBA with WNBA League Pass. Avoid blackouts and watch the WNBA from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.
The 2024 season of the WNBA is well underway, and the Chicago Sky and Los Angeles Sparks are set to go head-to-head. Both teams have had strong performances so far, with the next match anyone's game.
Don't want to miss out? If you want to watch Chicago Sky vs. Los Angeles Sparks in the WNBA from anywhere in the world, keep reading because we have all the information you need.
When is Chicago Sky vs. Los Angeles Sparks?Chicago Sky vs. Los Angeles Sparks in the WNBA starts at 5 p.m. ET on Saturday, Aug. 17. This fixture takes place at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles.
How to watch Chicago Sky vs. Los Angeles SparksWNBA fans can live stream the 2024 season from anywhere in the world with the WNBA League Pass.
However, it's important to note that the WNBA League Pass may not show locally televised games live in the participating teams' local areas. However, not to worry, fans can get past these geo-restrictions by using a VPN. These helpful tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) so you'll be able to connect to secure servers in other locations, so you can bypass blackouts to watch every WNBA League Pass game live, barring games hosted by Amazon Prime Video.
Access every WNBA League Pass game by following these simple steps:
Subscribe to a streaming-friendly VPN (like ExpressVPN)
Download the app to your device of choice (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)
Open up the app and connect to a server in a location with no broadcast deals for the WNBA
Log in to WNBA League Pass
Stream every WNBA game live (except games hosted by Amazon Prime Video)
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 includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee.
Stream Chicago Sky vs. Los Angeles Sparks in the WNBA from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.
TL;DR: Study the fundamentals of ethical hacking in the All-in-One Super-Sized Ethical Hacking Bundle on sale for £31.10 (reg. £854.28).
The IT industry is always changing, whether it's because of new technology or the latest major data leak. That constant evolution and the steep learning curve makes it tough to enter the industry without a good teacher, but you don't have to be in school to find one of those.
The All-in-One Super-Sized Ethical Hacking Bundle is an 18-course deep dive into cybersecurity, ethical hacking, and more. You can access all of these online courses — 132 hours of classes in total — in one convenient place, and they're all taught by credible instructors. For a one-time entry fee of £31.10, you can have access to these classes for life.
What's the curriculum?This bundle has hundreds of hours of material to study. Topics include using Python for ethical hacking, penetration testing, website hacking, Burp Suite, server security, and more.
Most of these courses are beginner-level but do require a little familiarity with IT concepts and tech in general. A complete novice would have the most to get out of this bundle, but they'd also have the hardest time initially.
It's important to remember that the certificates included with each course are only for completion. They don't hold the same weight as a formal certification from an organisation like Microsoft or CompTIA, but the material you've learned can still benefit your career — and you could use what you've studied to go off and get one of those fancy certifications, too.
Whether you're studying for a certification exam or want to practice the skills that could eventually lead to your first cybersecurity job, here's a great place to start.
Get the All-in-One Super-Sized Ethical Hacking Bundle for £31.10.
StackSocial prices subject to change.
Opens in a new window Credit: Aleksa Tamburkovski The All-in-One Super-Sized Ethical Hacking Bundle £31.10 at The Mashable ShopOh 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 August 17's Wordle solution revealed. But if you'd rather solve it yourself, keep reading for some clues, tips, and strategies to assist you.
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.
Not the day you're after? Here's the solution to yesterday's Wordle.
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 August 17 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections today: See hints and answers for August 17 Here's a subtle hint for today's Wordle answer:Extreme weather event.
Does today's Wordle answer have a double letter?There are 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...
STORM.
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 Caitlin Welsh, Sam Haysom, Amanda Yeo, Shannon Connellan, Cecily Mauran, Mike Pearl, and Adam Rosenberg contributed to this article.
If you're reading this, you're looking for a little help playing Strands, the New York Times' elevated word-search game.
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.
SEE ALSO: NYT Connections today: See hints and answers for August 17 SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Here's the answer hints for August 17If 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.
NYT Strands hint for today’s theme: Carle classicThese words are delicious to some.
Today’s NYT Strands theme plainly explainedThe answers are related to a legendary children's book.
NYT Strands spangram hint: Is it vertical or horizontal?Today's NYT Strands spangram is horizontal.
NYT Strands spangram answer todayToday's spangram is HungryCaterpillar.
NYT Strands word list for August 17Leaf
Apple
Pickle
Salami
HungryCaterpillar
Watermelon
Looking for other daily online games? Find one you might like – or hints for another game you're already playing – on Mashable's Games page.
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 August 17's Connections solution. But if you'd rather solve it yourself, keep reading for some clues, tips, and strategies to assist you.
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 deletedEach 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 deletedPlayers 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 August 17 Here's a hint for today's Connections categoriesWant a hit about the categories without being told the categories? Then give these a try:
Yellow: Linguistics
Green: Macking on someone
Blue: Healer tools
Purple: Interior decoration
Need a little extra help? Today's connections fall into the following categories:
Yellow: Spoken Communication
Green: Canoodle
Blue: First Aid Kit Items
Purple: House Styles
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 #433 is...
What is the answer to Connections todaySpoken Communication: DIALECT, LANGAUGE, SPEECH, TOUNGE
Canoodle: FRENCH, KISS, MAKE OUT, NECK
First Aid Kit Items: BANDAGE, DRESSING, SCISSORS, TAPE
House Styles: COTTAGE, CRAFTSMAN, PRAIRIE, RANCH
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.
Is this not the Connections game you were looking for? Here are the hints and answers to yesterday's Connections.
Are you also playing NYT Strands? See hints and answers for today's Strands.
Movies in the Alien franchise are always filled to the brim with references to each other, and Alien: Romulus is no exception. In Fede Álvarez's Alien sequel/Aliens prequel, there's a subtle bit of set decoration that's become a tradition in the franchise: the drinking bird.
In one of the very first scenes in Alien: Romulus, mine worker Rain Carradine (Cailee Spaeny) and her android brother Andy (David Jonsson) are dining in a Weyland-Yutani company canteen. Sitting on their table is a drinking bird. The kind of toy sometimes found on office desks, the drinking bird was patented in 1945 by American scientist Miles V. Sullivan and is now sold in varying quality on Amazon by the bucketload.
SEE ALSO: 'Alien: Romulus' review: Fan Service Summer continuesIt's a dual-bulbed glass bird on a fulcrum, which uses thermodynamics to dip its beak into a glass of water repeatedly. Plus, they usually have a fancy little hat, because this is a place of business.
Behold! Credit: Mashable / Lebazele / iStock / Getty Images PlusThe drinking bird, which is sometimes referred to as the dippy bird, shows up in several of the Alien films, comics, and video games, including Alien³, Alien vs. Predator, and Alien: Covenant, and the game Alien: Isolation. It's an homage to the very first shot of Ridley Scott's 1979 Alien, when the camera is careening through the Nostromo ship and catches sight of two drinking birds sitting on the ship's dining table, dipping away. In fact, the toy birds are on the table during the film's famous chestburster scene, idly sitting by while Gilbert Kane (John Hurt) has a baby Xenomorph punch out of his chest during dinner.
See 'em? Credit: 20th Century Fox / Everett / ShutterstockIn Alien: Romulus, the drinking bird takes on a meaning of its own beyond the obvious fan service, as a symbol of the overworked, indentured mining workers of the Weyland-Yutani colony. Unable to break the regimented monotony of their cog-like roles, Rain and her friends seek escape and enrichment elsewhere — but are seriously doomed for even trying. They are the birds, people.
It's not the only Easter egg or franchise nod in Álvarez's film, but it's a good one.
Are you looking for travel tips? Debating whether the extra cost for a first-class ticket is worth it? Or perhaps you're unsure which airline to choose? Don’t worry — YouTuber Will Davis, known as Trek Trendy, might have the answers you seek.
On Aug. 11, Davis uploaded a 38-minute video titled "Flying First Class on Every US Airline (Back to Back)" to his YouTube channel, which has over 1 million subscribers. It's already racked up nearly half a million views in less than a week.
In this "self-funded" video, the luxury travel reviewer offers an honest take on flying first class across six major U.S. airlines: JetBlue, American, Hawaiian, United, Alaska, and Delta. From terminal and lounge accommodations to in-flight amenities and dining, Davis breaks down his experiences, providing insights that could save you time and money.
So, before booking your next first-class ticket, do yourself a favor and check out this video.
SEE ALSO: Pack your bags: these are the best travel deals available this weekUPDATE: On June 4, 2024, at 7:57 a.m. EDT, OpenAI resolved the incident at 12:28 p.m. PT. All ChatGPT systems are now operational.
If you tried to use OpenAI or ChatGPT in the past few minutes and received the digital equivalent of a blank stare, you're not alone. OpenAI is experiencing a "partial outage."
The company posted that there are "elevated error rates for ChatGPT and Platform API. At 11:53 PDT on August 16, it wrote: "We are currently investigating elevated error rates on ChatGPT and Platform API." One minute later, it said it was "continuing to investigate this issue."
About thirty minutes later, the company wrote an update that "engineers have taken measures to mitigate the elevated errors and are monitoring for additional changes." All OpenAI and ChatGPT systems are "operational."
The latest version of Google's text-to-image model is now available to the masses.
Teased back in May at Google I/O, Imagen 3 is the tech giant's most advanced AI generator that rivals other models like Midjourney, DALL-E 3, and X's very uncensored Grok-2. Speaking of which, Google has taken a different approach than Grok-2, which has swiftly become known for generating copyrighted images and deepfakes of public figures. Unlike Elon Musk's AI model, Google says it "used extensive filtering and data labeling to minimize harmful content in datasets and reduced the likelihood of harmful outputs." Images created by Imagen 3 also have Google's SynthID digital watermark for identifying the image's provenance.
Safety protocols aside, Google says Imagen 3 has greater versatility and understanding of prompts, higher quality images, and better text rendering — text being a pesky ongoing problem for all AI image models.
Users are already testing it out in the wild with impressive results.
Tweet may have been deletedBut some users on Reddit have criticized the model for being too restrictive in what images it is allowed to generate.
Reddit Reddit How to try Google's Imagen 3 modelIf you'd like to see for yourself and test the boundaries of what Google deems offensive or inappropriate, Imagen 3 is available now via ImageFX and VertexAI. Soon, Imagen 3 will become available throughout Google AI features in Workspace and Gemini on the web and mobile.
iPhone owners can finally download and play Fortnite again – if you live an Europe and use a separate app store.
Yes, one of the weirdest sagas in recent video game history is over. After years of spats between Apple and Epic Games, you can cleanly and legally install Fortnite on an iPhone without any strange workarounds. Well, almost, anyway. Epic had to put out an instructional YouTube video for the process, which involves installing a separate Epic Games Store app from Safari and then downloading Fortnite from there, rather than the regular App Store.
I should note that this only applies to iPhone owners in the European Union, due to that organization's relatively strict laws against big tech monopolies. It's not clear when U.S. iPhone users will see Fortnite again.
The same holds true of Android, by the way, as Epic explained in its blog post announcing the news. You might be wondering why Epic feels the need to make users download its own digital storefront instead of just using the App Store or Play Store like other mobile games. It's for boring business reasons: Apple and Google historically take some money off the top of in-app purchases for themselves, and Epic wants to reap all of the revenue for itself, as companies are wont to do.
Regardless of the how and why, all of the nonsense of the past few years is over. No more needing to stream Fortnite to an iPhone or anything like that. If you like Fortnite and live in Europe, congratulations. For everyone else...the wait continues.
Shop the best deals at Amazon this week under $50.
Our top picks: Best Tech Deal Soundcore by Anker Space A40 Active Noise Cancelling Wireless Earbuds $49 at Amazon (Save $30.99) Get Deal Best Kitchen Deal Ninja Fit Compact Personal Blender $44.99 at Amazon (Save $25) Get Deal Best Travel Deal Tile Slim Bluetooth Tracker $24.99 at Amazon (Save $10) Get DealPrices are going up everywhere you look. That cart full of groceries? It's more expensive than you think. The dollar doesn't stretch as far as it used to, and that's why it's important to save when you can. So if you're itching to get some shopping done but don't want to break the bank, now's the time to check out all the deals under $50 at Amazon this week.
There's plenty to choose from, whether you want to bring home a new set of noise-cancelling earbuds or a blender perfect for making your morning smoothie. We've curated some of the best deals we could find across multiple categories that you can shop right now.
Check out some of our favorite picks this week below:
Best tech deal under $50 Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Soundcore by Anker Space A40 Active Noise Cancelling Wireless Earbuds $49.00 at AmazonIf you're the type of person who needs silence to focus, or you just want to block out distractions when listening to music, noise-cancelling headphones are the way to go. You can get a great budget pair from Anker for less than $50 right now that not only sound fantastic, but boast some impressive noise blocking and battery life for the price as well. They claim to reduce noise by up to 98% while still offering crisp treble and booming bass, with up to 50 hours of playtime thanks to a 10-hour single charge and 4 hours of listening per 10-minute charges. They're comfortable in the ear, sturdy, and stylish too. You don't need the most expensive earbuds to enjoy benefits like ANC, and this pair proves it while staying under $50.
More tech deals under $50 at Amazon:Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K — $34.99 $49.99 (save $15)
Samsung 15W Wireless Charger — $35.71 $59.99 (save $24.28)
Anker Nano II USB C Charger (65W) — $39.99 $55.99 (save $16)
TP-Link Deco Whole Home Mesh WiFi System — $49.49 $59.99 (save $10.50)
Amazon Echo Dot (5th Gen) with Sengled Smart Color Bulb — $49.99 $69.98 (save $19.99)
Craving a smoothie? Want to make a delicious soup? This 700-watt push-to-blend compact blender can help make tasty goodies for one. It can crush and pulverize ice and other ingredients right in its 16-oz. single-serve cup for you to make smoothies, sauces, frozen drinks and plenty of other delicious treats right from your countertop. But it's small enough to take up hardly any footprint so you don't have to worry about it dominating your counter – you've probably got too many kitchen gadgets as it is. Pour directly from your cup and then take everything and wash it - you've just saved tons of money by not buying everything at a restaurant.
More kitchen deals under $50 at Amazon:Ninja Blast Portable Blender — $49.99 $59.99 (save $10)
Chefman XL Electric Griddle (10 x 20 inch) — $34.99 $39.99 (save $5)
Chemex Pour-Over Glass Coffeemaker — $38.32 $45.09 (save $6.77)
No one likes losing things. But smart trackers like Apple AirTags can be a bit unwieldy due to their shape. The card-shaped Tile Slim Bluetooth tracker is a great alternative for finding things that you may have misplaced nearby. It uses Bluetooth to help you track items and is thin enough to be placed in a wallet, luggage tag, or other larger item where a small disc-shaped object doesn't make much sense. It's compatible with iOS and Android devices, and you can actually leave it in your wallet without worrying about attaching it to a keyring. Now that's smart.
More travel deals under $50 at Amazon:Anker European Travel Plug — $9.99 $19.99 (save $10)
Anker Nano Power Bank — $19.99 $25.99 (save $6)
Tile Sticker Bluetooth Tracker — $19.99 $29.99 (save $10)
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