Entertainment
Star Trek Fixes Its Spinoff By Ruining Its Brand
By Chris Snellgrove
| Published
After hating the first episode of Starfleet Academy and screaming at the second one (did the writers really forget how Betazoids work?!), I found myself inexplicably liking the third episode. This was a script that abandoned any attempt to tell a greater story about Starfleet or the Federation and settled into a surprisingly fun “snobs vs. slobs” style caper, and the episode was all the stronger for it. That was when (not unlike Picard in “All Good Things”) the paradox hit me: Starfleet Academy is at its best when it stops trying to be a Star Trek show and focuses on telling stories in entirely different genres.
The first episode of Starfleet Academy received mixed reviews from longtime Star Trek fans because it couldn’t decide on what kind of show it wanted to be; scenes of broad comedy (including poop jokes and vulgar quips) sat uneasily alongside harrowing starship attacks and inspirational speeches. It felt like the weird lovechild between Lower Decks and Discovery, resulting in enough tonal whiplash to fill a Starbase. The second episode of the new series fared better because it focused on its teen show strengths (like a will they/won’t they relationship between a Betazoid good girl and Starfleet’s newest bad boy), but plodding scenes of Federation politicking dragged the episode down.
Star Trek Unleashes The ’80s
Starfleet Academy’s third episode (“Vitus Reflux”) is its strongest, which is ironic because this is the lowest-stakes episode so far. We don’t get any sad backstories, supervillain introductions, or major changes to Federation lore. Instead, the episode focuses on a prank war between Starfleet Academy and the War College, one which involves everything from competitive laser tag and goofy mascots to a bunch of giant, talking plants straight out of Little Shop of Horrors.
Now, if you had asked me last week if I would enjoy a particularly goofy episode of Starfleet Academy, I would have said no; after all, the first two episodes were at their worst when they were trying to be funny, and much of the show’s early teen drama was very grating. A prank war involves, by necessity, plenty of teen drama and childish humor, so I was fully prepared to hate everything about “Vitus Reflux” from beginning to end. Instead, I enjoyed most of it for a very surprising reason: Starfleet Academy is at its best when it stops trying to be a Star Trek show altogether.
Snobs Vs. Slobs (In Space)
Instead of trying to tell a classic Star Trek story, Starfleet Academy’s third episode embraced the kind of “snobs vs. slobs” storytelling made famous by classic films such as Animal House. In this case, the lovable slobs were played by the latest academy recruits, including a pacifist Klingon, a ditzy hologram, and a juvenile delinquent. The slobs were played by the cadets at the War College who (not unlike their professors) see Starfleet Academy cadets as easy, weak-hearted targets.
Strangely enough, most of Starfleet Academy’s biggest flaws more or less disappear once it stops trying to be a Star Trek show. The broad humor, bad jokes, and casually vulgar language of the first episode, for example, are a big part of why this new spinoff never really felt like The Next Generation or Voyager. But all of that actually gels well (though not perfectly) in an episode that stops trying to be Star Trek and instead does its best to channel Caddyshack.
Star Trek Spinoff Strips Down To The Basics
Weird, vulgar trash talk, for example? That’s obviously out of place on a starship, and such humor really fell flat in the first episode during Nus Braka’s attack. But “Vitus Reflex” lowered the stakes to “my school’s better than your school” and made the villains into rival cadets; in this context, both the foul language and the hot tempers of young people with nothing but pride on the line suddenly made a lot more sense.
The wonderfully simplistic plot reminded me of a phrase frequently used by the excellent podcast The Greatest Generation (you’ll always have a friend of DeSoto in me, boys): “Star Trek is a place.” According to these podcasters, there is no one, archetypal kind of Trek show; instead, there is endless room to tell all kinds of stories within this familiar futuristic setting. This is why The Next Generation could suddenly become a Law & Order episode with “The Measure of a Man” and Deep Space Nine suddenly became a war movie with “The Siege of AR-558.”
Star Trek is a vast universe whose writers can afford to channel different genres and explore other kinds of storytelling. In this third episode, Starfleet Academy tries its hand at a snobs vs. slobs tale, and as someone who absolutely loves such movies, I thought it was great. It’s not a perfect episode because the humor of the adult characters (mostly Holly Hunter’s chancellor) still lands with a resounding thud, but the episode mercifully focuses on the younger characters while giving them the most sympathetic motivation of all: the need to take some arrogant *sshole bullies down a few pegs.
A Show That Finally Found Its Voice
Sadly, Starfleet Academy is unlikely to keep up this momentum, and we all know it’s just a matter of time before the show focuses on more heavy-handed drama wrapped up with lazy inspirational speeches straight out of ChatGPT. But with “Vitus Reflux,” this new spinoff stopped trying to be a serious Star Trek show and just tried to be an ‘80s comedy, and it’s almost shockingly successful in this endeavor. Starfleet Academy has previously suffered from trying to simultaneously be a serious meditation on idealism and a wacky comedy about space cadets; by just embracing its weird teenage hijinks, the show finally found its voice.
That voice is, admittedly, something very different from the classic Star Trek shows of old, but it’s been clear for years that Paramount is desperate to modernize the franchise and tell new kinds of stories. Unfortunately, NuTrek often focused on either grim and grisly storytelling (like early Discovery and Picard) or colorful nostalgia bait (like Strange New Worlds and later Picard). Now, Starfleet Academy has (after a couple of failed episodes) managed to find the sweet spot between action, humor, and originality, and this third episode did something I thought impossible just a week ago: made me finally care about these characters.
After this foray into ‘80s-style snobs vs. slobs comedy, what will happen to everyone’s favorite Starfleet Academy characters? At this point, I’m rooting for a toga party!
Entertainment
Amazons early Presidents Day deals include discounts on Apple, Roborock, and more
Best early Presidents’ Day deals as of Feb. 9:
If you missed out on last year’s Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales, Presidents’ Day is the next major sales event worth shopping — and the first big opportunity of 2026 to save. Historically, this holiday is known for its discounted prices on large appliances, mattresses, and furniture, but if you know where to look, you can find some pretty good deals on smaller home goods and tech.
Here’s everything we know so far about Amazon’s Presidents’ Day sale, including the deals you can shop right now.
When is Amazon’s Presidents’ Day sale?
Presidents’ Day is Monday, Feb. 16, 2026. While Amazon has yet to announce an “official” sale event, the retailer typically treats the holiday as a long-weekend clearance event, and there are tons of deals already available. As we get closer to the weekend, we anticipate even more markdowns, particularly on Amazon devices (e.g., Echos, Kindles, Fire Sticks) and floor-care brands like Roborock and Dyson.
When does Amazon’s Presidents’ Day sale end?
As with previous sales events, Amazon’s Presidents’ Day deals will run through the three-day weekend, likely capping off late Monday night. In true Amazon style, we expect some Lightning Deals to pop up in the days leading up to the holiday, but don’t expect the best inventory to linger past Monday.
Below, we’ve rounded up the best early Presidents’ Day deals we could find as of Feb. 9:
Best Presidents’ Day Apple deal
$299
at Walmart
$399
Save $100
Why we like it
The Apple Watch Series 11 (GPS, 42mm) is down to $299 right now. That’s a $100 discount, which isn’t too shabby for a deal this early in the year. It’s the lowest price we’ve tracked on this model (according to CamelCamelCamel, it last hit this price on Dec. 30, 2025).
The Series 11 is a Mashable Choice Award winner that features advanced health tracking, up to 24 hours of battery life on a single charge (normal use), and a more durable exterior that’s 2x more scratch-resistant than the previous generation.
More Apple deals
Best Presidents’ Day Amazon device deal
$179.99
at Amazon
$219.99
Save $40
Why we like it
The Amazon Echo Show 11 (2025 release) was just announced this past October as part of Amazon’s big smart home refresh, and it’s already hitting its lowest price ever. Right now, you can grab it for $179.99, which is an 18% discount off the list price of $219.99.
It features a vibrant 11-inch Full-HD display (offering 60% more viewing area than the Echo Show 8) and room-filling spatial audio, making it a legitimate kitchen TV for streaming Netflix or Prime Video while you cook. It runs on the AZ3 Pro chip for faster responses and includes Alexa+ integration. Plus, the camera is upgraded with auto-framing and zoom for better video calls.
More Amazon device deals
Best Presidents’ Day TV deal
$179.99
at Amazon
$349.99
Save $170
Why we like it
The Insignia 55-inch Class F50 Series LED 4K UHD Smart Fire TV (NS-55F501NA26) is 49% off right now, bringing its price down to an impressive $179.99. That’s a solid deal for a 55-inch TV with smart capabilities (it’s also an Amazon’s Choice product with a 4.3-star rating from over 6K+ Amazon reviews).
Mashable Deals
The F50 Series includes an Alexa Voice Remote and features a 4K Ultra HD display with dynamic range, DTS Virtual:X sound, and Amazon’s Fire TV experience built in for seamless streaming. You’ll find your favorite streaming platforms, including Netflix and HBO Max, plus millions of free movies and TV episodes.
More TV deals
Best Presidents’ Day robot vacuum deal
Why we like it
Right now, you can get the Roborock Q10 S5+ robot vacuum-mop combo for $299.99, down from $549.99. This is the lowest price we’ve ever tracked for this model, and it’s our all-time favorite “quietest” robot vacuum.
Mashable’s vacuum expert, Leah Stodart, says this combo vac offers the best bang for your buck. With 10,000 Pa of suction and an auto-lift feature for the mop (so it doesn’t wet your carpets), you honestly can’t go wrong with the Q10 S5+.
More robot vacuum deals
Entertainment
When will Wicked: For Good be streaming? What to know to watch it at home.
Table of Contents
Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande returned to the big screen to conclude Elphaba and Glinda’s story this past fall with Wicked: For Good.
Directed by Jon M. Chu once again, Wicked: For Good continues the story from the Broadway musical adaptation Wicked, which absolutely dominated the box office in 2024. Part one also picked up 10 Academy Award nominations, winning two for production design and costume design, and setting the bar extremely high for part two.
Besides Erivo and Grande, Wicked: For Good also stars Jeff Goldblum, Michelle Yeoh, Jonathan Bailey, Ethan Slater, Bowen Yang, and Marissa Bode. It hit theaters in November 2025 and is now officially available to watch at home. Here’s everything you need to know to tune in — including when and where it’s streaming.
What is Wicked: For Good about?
Wicked: For Good picks up where Wicked leaves off — in the wake of Elphaba’s (Erivo) showdown with the Wizard of Oz (Goldblum). Having been labeled as the Wicked Witch of the West, Elphaba now lives in hiding. Glinda, on the other hand, has become a symbol of good as well as a public figure. Glinda hopes to protect Elphaba from an actual witch hunt, all the while, an outsider (Dorothy) arrives in Oz. The second act follows Dorothy and her Yellow Brick Road-trekking pals from the perspective of Elphaba.
Check out the official trailer below.
Is Wicked: For Good worth watching?
It’s tough for a sequel to live up to its predecessor, and Wicked: For Good struggles to match the magic of the first movie. On Rotten Tomatoes, for instance, Wicked holds an 88 percent critic score. Wicked: For Good, on the other hand, holds just a 66 percent. Audiences are pretty enthralled with both, though. Both films have over a 90 percent audience rating, though many people have debated whether two separate films were necessary in the first place.
“In the end, Wicked: For Good is sure to enthrall fans of the Broadway show, the first movie, and just about anyone who loves a splashy movie musical. Despite its faults, it’s still good,” writes Mashable’s entertainment editor, Kristy Puchko.
Check out our full review of Wicked: For Good.
How to watch Wicked: For Good at home
Credit: Universal Pictures
There are now a few different ways you can watch Wicked: For Good at home. You can buy it or rent it at digital-on-demand retailers for as low as $19.99, or you can stream it on Peacock. See the details below.
Mashable Top Stories
Buy or rent it on digital
Wicked’s second act is available as of Dec. 30, 2025, to buy or rent at digital-on-demand retailers. If you choose to rent, you’ll get 30 days to watch the film and just 48 hours to finish it once you start. If you choose to buy it instead, then it’s yours to keep with no watch limits.
Here are some quick links to rent or purchase the film:
Stream it on Peacock
Following the same timeline as its predecessor, Wicked: For Good will start streaming on Peacock on March 20, 2026. That’s almost exactly a year to the day since Wicked part one made its streaming debut.
If you don’t have a Peacock subscription, you can sign up for $10.99 per month with ads or $16.99 per month without. Before you get ahead of yourself, though, be sure to check out the best ways to save some money on a subscription below.
The best Peacock streaming deals
Best Peacock deal: Save 17% on an annual subscription
$109.99 per year or $169.99 per year (save 17%)
The best Peacock deal for most folks is the annual subscription deal. You’ll get 12 months of streaming for the price of 10 by paying for a year upfront. That’s a total of $109.99 with ads (which breaks down to just $9.17 per month compared to $10.99) or $169.99 without ads (which breaks down to $14.16 per month compared to $16.99). That’s about $21.89 in savings on the ad-supported tier or $33.89 on the ad-free tier.
Best Peacock deal for Xfinity customers: free Peacock Premium for eligible accounts
Credit: Peacock / Xfinity
Free for select Xfinity customers
Xfinity customers should check the eligibility details below before signing up for Peacock, as you might be able to score a subscription for free. Check out the breakdown of who is eligible to get Peacock for free through Xfinity below (or head to Xfinity.com for more details).
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Xfinity Internet customers who are Diamond or Platinum Xfinity Rewards members can get Peacock Premium for free by redeeming a reward for it. Sign in at xfinity.com/rewards and choose Peacock as a reward. Then, wait for your email (it may take a few hours) with instructions on activating the offer.
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NOW TV customers can also receive Peacock Premium as part of their service.
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New customers with Xfinity Internet and an X1 TV Box, Flex streaming TV Box, or a Xumo Stream Box from Xfinity can get Peacock Premium for free for six months.
Best Peacock deal for students and young adults: Save $5/month for one year
$5.99/month for 12 months (save $5/month)
$5.99/month for 12 months (save $5/month)
Students and young adults can save $5 per month on a Peacock Premium subscription all year long. Just verify your student status via SheerID and retrieve the unique promo code to knock the cost down to just $5.99 instead of $10.99. Note that after the promo year is up, you’ll be charged full price again unless you cancel.
Best for first responders, medical professionals, military, and teachers: Save $4/month
$6.99 per month (save $4 per month)
$6.99 per month (save $4 per month)
$6.99/month (save $4 per month)
First responders, medical professionals, military personnel, and teachers can all secure a Peacock Premium subscription (with ads) for a discounted rate of $6.99 per month by verifying their professional status via SheerID. Unlike the student deal, however, it’s not limited to a year. Those who continue to meet verification qualifications can renew their subscription at a discounted rate each year — although you may have to go through the verification process each time and receive a new promo code. Rates are also subject to change year to year.
Best for Instacart users: free Peacock Premium for Instacart+ subscribers
Credit: Instacart / Peacock
Free for Instacart+ subscribers (save $109.99/year)
An Instacart+ membership ($99.99 per year) unlocks a free Peacock Premium subscription ($109.99 per year value) on top of free grocery delivery, lower fees, and credit back on eligible pickup orders. Plus, if you’re new to Instacart+, you’ll get a free two-week trial to kick things off. Just be sure to cancel before you’re charged the full amount — do yourself a favor and set a calendar alert.
Best for Walmart shoppers: free Peacock Premium for Walmart+ members
Walmart now offers Walmart+ members the ability to choose Peacock Premium (or Paramount+) as a free perk. A $109.99 value, your $98 Walmart+ membership is already a better deal than paying for Peacock on its own. Add in free shipping (with no order minimums), fuel discounts, a Scan & Go checkout tool, and early access to deals during Walmart’s major shopping events, and you’ve got yourself a pretty sweet subscription. Amazon Prime who?
UPDATE: Feb. 9, 2026, 11:51 a.m. This article has been updated with new streaming details.
Entertainment
Sukhie’s Lipstick Trick Is Too Good
Do you have a holy-grail beauty product or trick? A few months back, Joanna shared five products she swears by, and it got us thinking about the tried-and-true favorites we’re devoted to: the nail polish we go back to over and over again; the world’s best-smelling sunscreen; that one little tip that totally changed the way we do our hair (for me, it was this post!). This week, after seeing Sukhie Patel’s gorgeous lipstick on Instagram, we asked her to share her secrets. And boy did she deliver…
Sukhie’s lipstick trick: “I apply a thin layer of Anastasia Lipstick in American Doll, blur the edges around my lip line with my pinkie, then add a layer of Weleda Skin Food, which keeps my lips moisturized all day.” How gorgeous is the effect?
The duo works for blush, too. “Next, on the back of my hand, I mix a tiny dollop of Skin Food with liquid lipstick, and dab it on my cheeks for a sheer, glossy blush that inherently compliments my lips,” says Sukhie. “Finally, I add a couple dots of plain Skin Food to the tops of my cheekbones as a highlighter — et voila.”
How about her runners up? “My magical mousse for curly hair gwôrls: Evo Whip It Good — I even buy travel bottles for work trips. Plus, skin scrubby mitts, the bulk bag of Epsom salts (16 oz tins in this economy?!), Clinique bottom lash mascara that gives a kitten flick at the corners of your lashes and doubles as an eyebrow gel; and using my electric toothbrush in the shower to combat sensory challenges.”
Thank you, Sukhie!
Do you have a favorite product or trick? In the past, we asked folks about their beauty uniforms. Now we want to know about your heroes: those few things you will love forever. More posts like this coming up soon. xo
P.S. Sukhie’s week of outfits, and the random $10 beauty product we swear by.
Amazons early Presidents Day deals include discounts on Apple, Roborock, and more
When will Wicked: For Good be streaming? What to know to watch it at home.
