Entertainment
Starfleet Academy Finally Used An Old Star Trek Trope To Do Something New
By Chris Snellgrove
| Published
Starfleet Academy is a show that has pretty shamelessly been relying on older Star Trek shows to tell new stories. Accordingly, one of the biggest criticisms of this new spinoff is that it doesn’t have that many ideas of its own. After all, the most memorable episodes of the season serve as fairly shameless sequels to beloved episodes of Deep Space Nine and Voyager.
However, the Season 1 finale “Rubincon” finally put a new spin on an old trope. Among other things, this episode extensively relied on a trial, and such courtroom drama was a staple of the Golden Age of the franchise (especially in The Next Generation). However, Starfleet Academy puts its own spin on this ancient trope by using the trial less to explore ethical conundrums and more to explore simmering character conflict.
Star Trek: Law & Order
So, when did trial episodes become a staple of Star Trek? There have been some judicious flirtations as early as The Original Series, like when Captain Kirk memorably faced court-martial. Arguably, though, this trope didn’t become something Star Trek was famous for until The Next Generation.
This was a show where Data had to fight in court to be seen as a person and not a toaster, and Picard had to give a speech about freedom vs. security to a crazy admiral. Speaking of Picard, he also began TNG and ended TNG the same way: by testifying on humanity’s behalf in front of an omnipotent imp of a judge.
Star Trek: The Next Generation established a core aspect of these trials early on: rather than exploring characters, the courtroom drama was used to explore ideas. In “The Measure of a Man,” the fans at home already believe that Data should be treated like a human, so nobody watching is likely to have their beliefs about this character changed by testimony. Instead, we are here to enjoy the crunchy philosophical question at the heart of the episode: “how do we de define life in the far future?”
The Trial Never Ended, Picard
Similarly, “The Drumhead” is about an overzealous admiral investigating suspected sabotage aboard the Enterprise, eventually investigating Captain Picard himself in her mad urge to root out suspected traitors. As viewers, we are primed to believe Geordi La Forge and Data when they report that the explosion that triggered the investigation was just an accident. What we’re here to see is the episode’s exploration of a question that once vexed Benjamin Franklin: “is better security really worth sacrificing all of our personal liberties?”
This trend continued into other Trek shows: in Voyager, for example, Voyager’s “Death Wish” explores the morality of assisted suicide. However, the Starfleet Academy Season 1 finale “Rubincon” changed the formula up by having supervillain Nus Braka put the Federation itself on trial. His old nemesis, Captain Ake, basically represented the defense, while Anisha Mir (also Ake’s old nemesis) gets to play judge, jury, and executioner.
Putting The Federation On Trial
What made this episode different is that there wasn’t really any underlying philosophical question being explored. Nominally, viewers might briefly consider the validity of Nus Braka’s claims, but “briefly” is the keyword here: no Star Trek fans watching think the franchise’s latest spinoff will suddenly make the Federation the bad guys; instead, the trial is mostly a vector for Nus Braka’s megalomania and an excuse to have actor Paul Giamatti chew all the scenery in the quadrant. Beyond that, though, the courtroom drama is a vessel for something that used to be verboten under Trek creator Gene Roddenberry: juicy, juicy character conflict.
After all, the trial is the only place the show allows Anisha Mir to unload on Captain Ake, accusing the Starfleet officer of unfairly imprisoning her and separating her from her son. Meanwhile, Ake gets to explain how the other woman was an accessory to a pretty brutal murder. Along the way, she gets to dismantle Nus Braka’s sad backstory: he claims the Federation destroyed his home colony, but she proves his father did it through what the Picard show might frame as “sheer f*cking hubris.”
The Girls Are Fighting
Fortunately, the character conflict is quite juicy: both Holly Hunter and Tatiana Maslany are great actors, and it’s cool seeing them square off against each other onscreen in such a powerful way. Giamatti, arguably the show’s finest actor, gets to serve as a chaos agent, stirring the pot whenever things start to calm down. The result is scene after scene of captivating tension that furthers our understanding of these three characters and their relationship.
That doesn’t make these scenes perfect, of course: in my review of “Rubincon,” I noted how the mock trial is arguably the worst part of the episode. This is true on a storytelling level because Ake is really just buying time before the inevitable Starfleet rescue and equally inevitable happy ending. But everybody watches Star Trek for different reasons, and if you like seeing actors bring out the best in each other (a pretty darn good reason to tune in), it’s tough to beat these courtroom scenes.
If nothing else, Starfleet Academy deserves credit for proving that you can teach an old Targ new tricks: the show might still lean a little too heavily on the Star Trek tropes of yesteryear, but this season finale reveals that the writers are learning to do something new with them. Plus, the worst thing about this episode is three of television’s best actors giving it their all for the better part of an hour. If that’s the worst “Rubincon” had to offer, that’s a surefire sign of a good story!
Entertainment
The DJI Mini 5 Pro drone has hit a record-low price this weekend — save $500 at Amazon
SAVE $500: As of March 14, the DJI Mini 5 Pro Fly More Combo is on sale for $1,099 at Amazon. That’s $500 off the list price.
$1,099
at Amazon
$1,599
Save $500
The ban on DJI imports it naturally causing stock to drop, but it’s still possible to find popular models on Amazon (for now). And you can still find deals on some of the best drones from the brand, including the DJI Mini 5 Pro Fly More Combo. This bumper bundle has hit a record-low price on Amazon this weekend.
As of March 14, the DJI Mini 5 Pro Fly More Combo is on sale for $1,099 at Amazon. That’s $500 off the list price for a limited time.
Mashable Deals
We have seen this low price before, but we don’t know how long this sort of deal will stay live. Stock is going to dwindle at some stage. At that point, prices will surely jump. Until we reach that moment, we’re going to take every opportunity we can get to shop.
This bundle includes the DJI Mini 5 Pro drone, the DJI RC 2 camera-drone remote controller, a set of filters, three DJI Mini 5 Pro Intelligent Flight batteries, three propeller sets, a shoulder bag, and more. You’re getting everything you need to start flying and capturing footage in one convenient package.
The DJI Mini 5 Pro features a one-inch CMOS camera with 4K HDR filming at 60fps. You can opt for 4K 120fps for slow-motion filming, and night flying is a possibility thanks to the 360 degree Nightscape Omnidirectional Sensing and Nighttime return-to-home function.
Mashable Deals
It’s a truly stellar option for content creators and anyone looking to capture epic footage.
Score the best-ever price on the DJI Mini 5 Pro this weekend.
Entertainment
How to watch the 2026 Oscars online for free
TL;DR: Live stream the 2026 Oscars for free on 7Plus, RTÉ Player, or ITVX. Access these free streaming platforms from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.
Yes, the Oscars are almost here. It’s time for the film industry to come together to congratulate itself. Expect stunning gowns, polite clapping, fake smiles, and chaotic acceptance speeches. The group chat is going to come alive for one night only.
Whether you’re interested in the red carpet looks, the musical numbers, the award winners, or the sweet unpredictability of live television, you can watch this special event without spending anything. So clear your schedule and invite your sassiest friends. There’s always something from this night that causes a huge stir, and we wouldn’t want you to miss out on the drama.
If you want to watch the 2026 Oscars for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.
What are the Oscars?
The Academy Awards (the Oscars) are the awards for artistic and technical merit in film. The Oscars are widely considered to be the most prestigious awards in the film industry.
When are the 2026 Oscars?
The 98th Academy Awards ceremony will take place on March 15 at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood. Comedian Conan O’Brien is set to host the show for the second consecutive time in 2026.
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How to watch the 2026 Oscars for free
The 2026 Oscars are available to live stream for free on a number of platforms:
These streaming platforms are geo-restricted, but anyone can access for free with a VPN. These handy tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in another location, meaning you can unblock free streaming sites from anywhere in the world.
Live stream the 2026 Oscars from anywhere in the world by following these simple steps:
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Subscribe to a streaming-friendly VPN (like ExpressVPN)
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Download the app to your device of choice (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)
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Open up the app and connect to a server in a location with access
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Visit 7Plus, RTÉ Player, or ITVX
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Live stream the 2026 Oscars for free from anywhere in the world
$12.99 only at ExpressVPN (with money-back guarantee)
The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but leading VPNs do tend to offer free-trial periods or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can gain access to free live streams without committing with your cash. This is obviously not a long-term solution, but it does give you time to watch the 2026 Oscars before recovering your investment.
What is the best VPN for the Oscars?
ExpressVPN is the best service for bypassing geo-restrictions to access free live streams, for a number of reasons:
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Servers in 105 countries
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Easy-to-use app available on all major devices including iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac, and more
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A two-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $68.40 and includes an extra four months for free — 81% off for a limited time. This plan includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee. Alternatively, you can get a one-month plan for just $12.99 (with money-back guarantee).
Watch the 2026 Oscars from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.
Entertainment
The Saviors review: Adam Scott and Danielle Deadwyler delve into suburban paranoia in a sharply funny thriller
We all tend to imagine ourselves as the hero of our stories. The trouble with that is it requires someone to be the villain. That way of thinking can get dangerous when tumbled into our personal wells of prejudice, paranoia, and need for validation. From this well of mind-bending emotions springs The Saviors, a clever genre thriller with a lot to say beneath its slippery surface.
Following in the footsteps of eavesdropping-centric thrillers like Rear Window and The ‘Burbs, The Saviors begins with a middle-aged white man with too much time on his hands. In an average suburban American town, Sean Harrison (a smartly cast Adam Scott) is unemployed and on the verge of divorce from his wife, Kim (Till‘s Danielle Deadwyler). He’s hungry for a purpose when he meets Muslim siblings Amir (Theo Rossi) and Jahan (Nazanin Boniadi), who are renting the Harrisons’ guest house for a few days. So, when Sean notices some strange things around his home after their arrival, his suspicious eye travels to the guest house’s door.
What follows is a provocative tale with a sharp sense of humor and an ending that’ll make you want to watch it again — immediately.
The Saviors blends sci-fi spookiness with comic paranoia.
Co-written by Travis Betz and Kevin Hamedani, and directed by the latter, The Saviors begins with a trippy dream sequence. Sean and Kim awake in a crisp, white bedroom, whispering sweet nothings to each other as if this were the final act of a Nancy Meyers rom-com. Then a strange sound draws them away from the bliss of their bed.
In the blink of an eye, the tone shifts from serene to panicked. Sean is bleeding. The future is uncertain and threatening, and then he wakes up for real. This time he’s on the couch. He’s rumpled, real, and really annoying his wife, who’s readied herself to welcome their Airbnb guests to the house out back.
Dressed primly, Amir and Jahan are polite and warm, expressing appreciation for two strangers giving them space in their home. Through sign language, Jahan praises Sean’s cooking, the smell of his chili lighting up her face with a broad smile. But as they share a meal, Sean finds some of their comments strange, like their unfamiliarity with the sound of crickets. Soon, a hummed melody (“Seven Nation Army”) spurs him to suspect Jahan isn’t deaf as her brother claims. Then there are the tremors that shake their house, and the inexplicable green lights that suddenly pierce their windows. Things are getting undeniably strange, in a Twilight Zone way.
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Still, Sean’s uneasy about broaching the topic with a wife who already finds him ridiculous. But neither does he want to confide in his parents (Colleen Camp and Ron Perlman), who’ve fallen down a right-wing conspiracy rabbit hole. His construction worker sister, Cleo (Kate Berlant) isn’t much better, and eagerly fans the flames of Sean’s paranoia. After all, isn’t the president coming to their cozy town for a visit? And isn’t he visiting a landmark near Sean and Kim’s home?
While Kim initially dismisses Sean’s suspicions, demanding he think outside his “white bubble,” TV news hums about increased security and fear of terrorist threats. Before long, she too grows nervous about their guests. From there, the couple plays amateur spies, and the adventure of it all has reignited their connection — and their sex lives. But at what cost?
The Saviors delivers a surprising parable without getting preachy.
Hamedani doesn’t shy away from modern American politics through ambiguity. Though he avoids dropping the names of real politicians, his characters speak frankly about neo-Nazis, Islamophobia, and white privilege — particularly when it comes to life in suburbia. Yet, the film never veers into feeling like a lecture, because of the propulsive thrust of its central mystery: What are these guests up to?
Some clues are strange, but potentially innocuous. However, a second act sequence that reveals a peek into what even Sean and Kim can’t see dares the audience to buy into Sean’s suspicions. After all, the film is bound to his perspective, setting him up as the hero of The Saviors. But this movie would be boring if things weren’t what they seem. Still, even if you’d guessed that, I doubt you’ll predict where Hamedani and Betz’s sci-fi story winds up. I was not just surprised, but elated to be surprised. Watching the clues stack up, I was confident — cocky, even — that I’d unlocked the mystery that The Saviors ticks down to in its climax. I was wrong, and so I wanted to see The Saviors again to see where I, like Sean and Kim, went wrong.
The first time through The Saviors works as a solid genre thriller. The deceptively simple story is about a couple torn apart by ennui, but reunited through an adventure built on voyeurism and paranoia. But the sci-fi flourishes of unworldly glows, bizarre devices, and mysterious visitors heighten the stakes beyond divorce to life and death. Our imaginations are tantalized, enticing us to seek out exotic elements, and thereby ignoring more domestic red flags.
Like a great whodunnit, The Saviors opens up on reflection, blooming with the clues we overlooked the first time. The story shifts as our understanding of Amir and Jahan has. So, in a sense, you get two movies in one, just by watching The Saviors a second time. Better yet, the performances work both ways. All four leads — Scott, Deadwyler, Rossi, and Boniadi — are tasked with playing performances that work in two contexts. Some scenes that were once funny, flip to become menacing, and vice versa. It’s all about perspective.
A true find out of SXSW, The Saviors is a marvel. Hamedani and company have carefully constructed a film that’s part dark comedy, part sci-fi thriller, part cautionary tale. And yet for all this, it never feels muddled or messy. Keenly helmed and sharply performed, The Saviors is a must-see.
The Saviors was reviewed out of its world premiere at SXSW.
Lakers edge Nuggets in OT Luka Doncic's last-second shot
Lakers top Nuggets in OT Luka Doncic's last-second shot
