Entertainment
How Star Trek Fans Changed Deep Space Nine For The Better

The Star Trek episode that prompted Piller to call out the fans was “Battle Lines,” a Deep Space Nine story featuring aliens endlessly fighting on a planet where nobody can die. Looking back on the episode, the showrunner described how “It’s about rebirth and resurrection and spiritual mystical things,” something he knew the audience would enjoy based on reactions to the very first episode.
That was where he saw “people react very positively to the mystical component of the pilot.” He admitted that he and the producers didn’t do many mystical episodes in season 1 but that “Battle Lines” changed his mind. “My feeling is we should be finding more of those kinds of things. I think they’re more interesting than ships breaking down.”
Entertainment
Ryan Gosling to star in MCUs Ghost Rider film
After years of rumors and on-again, off-again flirtation between Ryan Gosling (Project Hail Mary, Barbie) and the Marvel Cinematic Universe, it’s now confirmed: the actor will play Johnny Blaze, aka Ghost Rider, in an upcoming film.
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For those unfamiliar with the character, Ghost Rider is the demonic alter ego of stuntman Johnny Blaze, who strikes a deal to sell his soul to the demon Mephisto in order to save his father’s life. Blaze’s soul is then bonded to Zarathos, the Spirit of Vengeance, transforming him into a leather-jacketed, motorcycle-riding, flame-skulled avenger. Thus, Blaze is forced to punish the wicked and evil whenever Mephisto needs him to.
Marvel Studios President Kevin Feige introduced Gosling to a packed Hall H at San Diego Comic-Con to roaring applause. The titular film will be directed by Shawn Levy, who previously helmed Deadpool & Wolverine, and is slated for release in 2028. It marks the first film adaptation of the supernatural antihero since 2007’s Ghost Rider, starring Nicolas Cage, and its 2012 sequel, Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance.
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On the television side, Gabriel Luna played the Robbie Reyes variant of Ghost Rider in the fourth season of Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. That appearance was meant to lead into a solo spin-off slated for 2020, but a “creative impasse” in late 2019 led to the project’s cancellation.
Gosling and Levy are already collaborators. The two are currently working together on Star Wars: Starfighter, due out in May 2027, and reportedly spent downtime on that set trading ideas for a Ghost Rider film.
Alongside the reveal of Gosling at Hall H, Feige also announced Black Panther III as a part of the MCU’s 2028 slate. The film will star David Jonsson (Alien: Romulus, Industry) as the titular Black Panther, aka T’Challa II. The last we saw of T’Challa II was his introduction as a small boy in Wakanda Forever, revealed to be the son of Chadwick Bosman’s T’Challa with Nakia (Lupita Nyong’o).
Not much is known about the plot for Ghost Rider, but given the character’s ties to Mephisto, it won’t be a surprise to see Sacha Baron Cohen reprise the role from Ironheart.
Entertainment
Get lifetime ad blocking for up to 9 devices for $11
TL;DR: Protect up to nine devices with the AdGuard Family Plan Lifetime Subscription for $11 (reg. $169.99) through July 26 at 11:59 p.m. PT.
It doesn’t matter if your household has two devices or 20, keeping everyone’s online activity protected can quickly become complicated. The AdGuard Family Plan simplifies things by covering up to nine devices with a single lifetime subscription. Through July 26 at 11:59 p.m. PT, new users can get it for $11 (reg. $169.99).
The Family Plan is designed specifically for households rather than individual users. In addition to blocking intrusive ads across supported devices, it helps reduce online tracking, warns about phishing sites, and adds another layer of protection against malware. That means fewer distractions while browsing and more peace of mind when the whole family is online.
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One great feature is the parental controls. Parents can restrict access to inappropriate or adult content while still giving kids access to the sites and apps they know and love. Combined with privacy protection that helps hide browsing activity from trackers, the plan focuses on creating a safer online experience for everyone using the family’s devices.
The Family Plan works across desktop and mobile platforms, making it easy to protect laptops, phones, and tablets under a single subscription. Since it’s a lifetime plan, you won’t have to worry about monthly renewals or annual subscription costs after the initial purchase.
This offer is available to new users only, it covers up to nine devices, and you have to redeem your code within 30 days of purchase.
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If you’re looking for an easy way to protect multiple devices without juggling separate subscriptions, the AdGuard Family Plan Lifetime Subscription is price-dropped to $11 (reg. $169.99) through July 26 at 11:59 p.m. PT.
StackSocial prices subject to change.
Entertainment
Get Microsoft Office Professional 2021 for life for $27.97 — Ditch 365 for good
TL;DR: Microsoft Office Professional 2021 includes Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, OneNote, Access, Publisher, and Teams (free version). Get a lifetime Windows license for $27.97 (reg. $219.99).
$27.97
$219.99
Save $192.02
Microsoft keeps releasing new versions of Office, but that doesn’t mean everyone needs the latest one. For plenty of entrepreneurs, freelancers, students, and everyday office workers, Office Professional 2021 still checks every important box. For a limited time, a lifetime license is just $27.97 (reg. $219.99).
Office Professional 2021 includes Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, OneNote, Access, Publisher, and the free version of Teams, giving you a complete productivity suite that works offline after installation. It’s compatible with Windows 10 and Windows 11, so you can keep working with the familiar desktop apps you already rely on.
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Microsoft 365 includes extras like cloud storage, AI-powered tools, and continuous feature updates, but not everyone needs them. If you’re perfectly happy with the familiar Office apps you’ve been using for years, Office 2021 delivers the essentials without an ongoing subscription.
Better yet, it’s a one-and-done purchase. Buy it once, install it on one Windows PC, and keep using the software without worrying about another subscription renewal or future price increase. The license is tied directly to your device rather than your Microsoft account, which some users may prefer for its straightforward licensing model.
It’s also surprisingly well-rounded for the price. Compared with Office Home & Business 2024, which includes five core desktop apps, Office Professional 2021 comes with eight: Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, OneNote, Access, Publisher, and Teams (free version). That includes Access for database management and Publisher for desktop publishing, although Microsoft plans to end Publisher support in Oct. 2026.
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Normally $219.99, you can grab a lifetime license to Microsoft Office Professional 2021 for just $27.97.
StackSocial prices subject to change.
