Entertainment
New Star Trek Show Will Finally Stop Copying The Worst Thing About Discovery
By Chris Snellgrove
| Published
Starfleet Academy recently ended its first season with “Rubincon,” an episode (spoilers, space cadets!) which completed Caleb’s long-running story arc. He is finally reunited with his mother, and his mom has even made peace with Chancellor Ake, the one who put her in prison. This makes for a mostly crowdpleasing season capper that might (just might) prove popular enough to win over the show’s biggest haters.
It’s a solid episode, but as the credits rolled, I found myself letting out a breath I didn’t realize I was holding. Based on how this first season ended, it looks like Starfleet Academy is going to finally stop copying the worst thing about Discovery, which has been arguably dragging the newest NuTrek show down from the beginning. Now that Caleb is no longer the focus, this new Star Trek show can stop focusing on a main character and focus on the entire ensemble cast.
The Michael Burnham Show
When Star Trek: Discovery first came out, it boldly went where no Star Trek show had gone before by focusing on a singular main character. Michael Burnham was the undisputed main character, and this controversial NuTrek show followed her fall and subsequent rise: she went from a brilliant Starfleet officer to a disgraced traitor to a decorated captain, all in the space of five seasons. While she ultimately proved to be a compelling character (a take admittedly as hot as the warp core), the endless focus on Burnham meant that we didn’t even learn the names of most of the bridge crew until Season 2.
Both Picard and Strange New Worlds proved to be a hard course correction, with these shows’ stories leaning extensively on a smaller ensemble cast. The same was true of Lower Decks, the gone-too-soon cartoon love letter to the Star Trek franchise. However, perhaps because it is a spinoff of Discovery, Starfleet Academy’s first season replicated the older show’s formula, albeit with a slight tweak.
Star Trek’s Latest Main Character
Caleb is, without a doubt, the main character of Starfleet Academy: the whole season revolves around his quest to find his jailbreak mother, and he has a shared history with both Captain Ake and Nus Braka, the show’s conniving supervillain. Caleb’s relationship with the bad guy gives him ongoing relevance to the plot, as does the fact that the ship’s captain acts as his surrogate mother. Fortunately, Starfleet Academy doesn’t focus on Caleb nearly as much as Discovery focused on Burnham, so there’s enough space to give the other cadets their share of the screen time.
Well, almost enough: one of the odder things about Starfleet Academy Season 1 is that Genesis is the only cadet who doesn’t get her own episode focusing primarily on her development. SAM, Darem, Tarima, and Jay-Den all get their own episodes, but the best the show can do for Genesis is to let her hum around an abandoned academy with Caleb. That episode (“Zo’Kheine”) mostly focuses on Darem and his people while Caleb stays home and tries to write a letter to a recovering Tamira.
Here Comes (And Here Goes) Genesis
Genesis gets into a few shenanigans, but for her, this episode mostly sets up an arc that she’s not command material. The Season 1 finale “Rubincon” pays lip service to this arc by having Genesis briefly take command. But considering that all she does in the captain’s chair is say that she has to pee, it’s fair to say that this storyline never really pays off.
Fortunately for Genesis and the other sadets, “Rubincon” also wraps up Caleb’s major storylines by having him reunite with his mother. She even makes her peace with the Federation, which means that Caleb can have his cake and eat it, too. He can stay enrolled at Starfleet Academy with his mother’s blessing and not be forced to choose between his biological family and his found family.
Trauma Boy, No More
It’s my hope that Starfleet Academy is done with focusing on a singular character. Again, Caleb is a very interesting character, and the show’s writers did a decent job of obsessing about him the way the Discovery writers obsessed about Michael. Nonetheless, the show already has more main characters than any show in Star Trek history, so making Caleb the de facto lead character meant even less of a focus on the ensemble cast.
Now, with any luck, Star Trek has evolved beyond the need to have a main character as surely as the Federation has evolved beyond the need for money. Of course, with my luck, the franchise will copy the Bridgerton formula and focus on a new main character each season. If that happens, maybe the writers can scratch the itch of their Caleb fascination by making him the 32nd-century equivalent of Lady Whistledown, who knows the tea (Earl Grey, hot) about everyone.
Entertainment
How to watch Venezuela vs. Italy in the 2026 World Baseball Classic online for free
TL;DR: Live stream Venezuela vs. Italy in the 2026 World Baseball Classic for free on Tele Rebelde or Venevision. Access these free streaming platforms from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.
The 2026 World Baseball Classic has been entertaining and unpredictable from the first pool-stage games.
USA lost to Italy and almost didn’t make it out of the pool stage, Japan were knocked out by Venezuela in the quarter finals, and now we’re on the cusp of the final. USA have already booked their place in the showpiece event as they aim to win their first title since 2017. They’ll face either Venezuela or Italy.
Italy’s journey to this semi-final matchup has been one of the biggest storylines from this competition. Few fans expected Italy to make it out of the pool stage, let alone top the group after winning every game. Can this magical story continue? Or will Venezuela prove too strong? You can follow all the action without spending anything.
If you want to watch the 2026 World Baseball Classic for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.
When is Venezuela vs. Italy?
Venezuela vs. Italy in the 2026 World Baseball Classic starts at 8 p.m. ET on March 16. This fixture will take place at LoanDepot Park.
Mashable Top Stories
How to watch Venezuela vs. Italy for free
The 2026 World Baseball Classic is 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 Venezuela vs. Italy in the World Baseball Classic 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 Tele Rebelde or Venevision
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Live stream the 2026 World Baseball Classic 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 every game from the 2026 World Baseball Classic before recovering your investment.
If you want to retain permanent access to the best free streaming platforms from around the world, you’ll need a subscription. Fortunately, the best VPN for live sport is on sale for a limited time.
What is the best VPN for live sport?
ExpressVPN is the best service for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream live sport, 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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Strict no-logging policy so your data is always secure
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Fast connection speeds
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Up to 10 simultaneous connections
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30-day money-back guarantee
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 Venezuela vs. Italy in the 2026 World Baseball Classic for free with ExpressVPN.
Entertainment
Trump admin has viral DOGE videos taken down. Theyre already back up.
Last week, viral videos of two former staffers of the Elon Musk-led government agency DOGE went viral. The videos offered a rare, behind-the-scenes look at how DOGE was run and how cuts to federal funding were determined.
On Friday, a federal judge ordered the videos be removed after a complaint from the Trump administration.
However, much to the chagrin of the U.S. government, internet archivists and forums like Reddit’s r/datahoarders have already re-uploaded backups of the videos.
The American Council of Learned Societies (ACLS), the American Historical Association (AHA), and the Modern Language Association (MLA) originally hosted the hours-long depositions of two former DOGE employees, Justin Fox and Nate Cavanaugh. Fox and Cavanaugh had been deposed as a result of a lawsuit from the three organizations regarding DOGE’s cuts to the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH).
The depositions of the two DOGE employees quickly went viral. Fox’s interview especially spread after clips were made of his inability to explain exactly what DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) was, regardless of the fact that DEI was his reasoning in cutting funding to specific projects or groups. The DOGE staffer shared how programs were flagged for cuts if they were tagged with terms such as “Black” or “LGBTQ+” but terms like “caucasian” or “heterosexual” were not flagged. Other clips showcased how the DOGE employees used ChatGPT to determine what programs to cut.
Mashable Light Speed
According to the Trump administration, the online mockery of the former DOGE staffers put the them in real, offline danger. The government told the judge that Fox specifically had been the subject of harassment and even death threats.
As a result of this request, Judge Colleen McMahon ordered that the ACLS, AHA, and MLA “take any and all possible steps to claw back” the DOGE deposition videos from the internet.
ACLS, AHA, and MLA made an argument that this was a First Amendment issue and that the videos were in the public interest as they involved “testimony from senior government officials on matters of great public concern.”
The judge denied their request and deferred the matter to a hearing on Tuesday. The hours-long depositions of Fox and Cavanaugh were removed shortly after on Friday.
However, despite the judge’s order, little could be done to remove the many viral clips from the deposition that had been uploaded all over social media.
Furthermore, internet archivists and self-described data hoarders had already ripped the entirety of both videos before they were removed from YouTube. Since their removal, the two full depositions have already been re-uploaded to sites like the Internet Archive. The subreddit r/datahoarders has also provided torrents of the two videos, so anyone who wants them can download the depositions locally to their own computers as well.
Regardless of what the judge decides at the hearing, it seems pretty clear that the internet has reached a verdict. These deposition videos of two DOGE staffers will always be available online in one form or another.
Entertainment
The best Hulu deals and bundles in March 2026
HULU BUNDLES: Hulu is offering a range of bundle deals so you can stream from its impressive library without breaking the bank.
The best Hulu deals and bundles in March 2026:
There’s a wide range of excellent shows and films to watch on Hulu. From Springsteen: Deliver Me From Nowhere to season two of Paradise, it’s a library that’s full of options to keep you entertained this spring.
If these have caught your eye and have you itching to sign up for Hulu, we’re here to help you get the best deal. Outside of the standard ad-supported and ad free plans, there are quite a few bundle deals available with Hulu that are worth exploring if you’re looking to save some cash. This includes a great limited-time deal on the Disney+ and Hulu Bundle, which is offering the first three months for just $4.99 per month. This offer only runs until March 24, so now is the time to sign up.
Considering Hulu and Disney Plus have recently increased their prices, there’s no better time than now to find a way to save through bundles. Below you can find details on Hulu’s best bundles at the moment — alongside information on both its ad-supported and ad free plans, if you just want the basics — offering you a way to save on the service without going overboard on spending.
Best Disney+ bundle deal
Get your first three months for $4.99 per month
Why we like it
For those interested in the ad-supported Disney+ and Hulu Bundle, there’s a limited-time offer that runs until March 24. Both new and eligible returning subscribers can get the first three months of the plan for $4.99 per month. Usually it costs $12.99, and your plan will automatically renew at that price after the promotional period comes to an end. You can cancel this function at anytime though:
Unfortunately, this deal does not apply to the Premium ad-free version of this plan. This option is still available for $19.99 per month, as usual.
Best HBO Max bundle deal
$19.99/month with ads, $32.99/month ad-free
Why we like it
This is one of the best Hulu bundles available at the moment. Starting at $19.99 per month, this bundle grants you access to Hulu, Disney+, and HBO Max’s streaming services for a much lower price than what you’d pay for the three of them separately. It’s an incredible deal to take advantage of, especially if you’ve already got Disney+ and HBO Max subscriptions. There are two plans to choose from with this bundle, and they are:
Best student deal
Hulu with ads for $1.99/month
Why we like it
If you’re a student enrolled at a university, you can score a Hulu (with ads) plan for even lower than the above bundles. Hulu’s Student Deal gives eligible college students the ability to buy a Hulu (with ads) plan for just $1.99 per month. Hulu notes that the deal lasts “so long as student enrollment status remains verified,” then it goes back up to the standard monthly price.
Best ESPN bundle deal
Why we like it
Alongside the big Hulu, Disney+, and HBO Max bundle, Hulu also has plans for sports fans that throw in ESPN Select or ESPN Unlimited. According to ESPN, “ESPN Select includes ESPN+ content only. Fans who want ESPN+ exclusively may subscribe to the ESPN Select plan. ESPN Unlimited includes all of the ESPN networks and services, including ESPN+.”
The Disney+, Hulu, ESPN Unlimited Bundle, which has ads, is available for $35.99 per month. The Disney+, Hulu, ESPN Unlimited premium bundle without ads is available for $44.99 per month.
Mashable Deals
Hulu’s monthly plans
If you’re just looking to jump straight into Hulu’s library without any fancy bundles, there are a couple of subscription options to consider. The ad-supported tier comes in at $11.99 per month, but you’ll get your first month free, which is a great way to test the waters and see if it’s the right fit for you. If you want to go ad free, that’ll cost you $18.99 per month. Unfortunately, this plan does not offer a free trial like its ad-supported sibling.
If you really want to go big on a streaming investment, there’s the Hulu + Live TV plan. This costs a whopping $89.99 per month for its ad-supported plan, but comes with plenty to keep you busy. Hulu + Live TV (with ads) gets you access to 95+ channels, unlimited DVR, Disney+ (with ads), ESPN Select (with ads), and Hulu (with ads). If you want to go even bigger with the ad-free plan — which offers Hulu (no ads), Disney+ (no ads), and ESPN Select (with ads) alongside Live TV — it’ll cost you $99.99 per month. The ad-supported plan also offers a free trial, but for just three days instead.
Wondering what to watch once you get set up with a Hulu plan or bundle? We’re here to help with that as well. Have a look at our roundups of the 30 best comedies on Hulu, the 25 best sci-fi movies on Hulu, and the 26 best horror movies on Hulu to start building your watchlist. And if you’re in the mood to binge-watch a show, check out our breakdown of the 25 best shows on Hulu.
UConn, UCLA remain atop Top 25 entering NCAA Tournament
Why the NCAA Tournament Selection Process Still Doesn’t Make Sense
