Entertainment
Star Trek Planned To Have Captain Archer Meet Sisko And Kirk During Tribble Troubles
By Chris Snellgrove
| Published
As a nostalgic English professor, I often think about these wise words from John Greenleaf Whittier: “Of all sad words of tongue or pen, the saddest are these, ‘It might have been.’” No matter what current events are bringing you down (and boy, do you have a lot to choose from right now), nothing will be quite as tragic as the idea that things could have turned out better. That’s not just true of personal or global events, either. In this case, it’s also true of Star Trek: Enterprise.
At this year’s TrekTalks (the annual livestream telethon that raises money for the Hollywood Food Coalition), several Enterprise writers and producers were reunited, including Brannon Braga, Mike Sussman, Phyllis Strong, André Bormanis, and Judith and Garfield Reeves-Stevens. During the stream, they dished on some of the coolest Enterprise episode pitches that were rejected. Some of them (including a Borg Queen origin story and a crossover with both The Original Series and Deep Space Nine) would have been amazing, and making those episodes could have done what once seemed impossible: saved Star Trek’s most hated spinoff from getting canceled.
Hey, You, Get Off Of My Cloud
Star Trek: Enterprise was a show that, to put it mildly, couldn’t figure out what it wanted to be. Sometimes, it was a proto-Original Series frontier adventure, and other times, it was a post 9/11 nataionlistic parable. By Season 4, showrunner Manny Coto had transformed Enterprise into a must-see Star Trek show, but the damage was already done, and the show was canceled. That made it the first Trek show since The Animated Series to get fewer than seven seasons, and Enterprise was deemed a failure. However, the assembled writers and producers who reunited for Trek Talks revealed some rejected episode pitches that might have saved this underappreciated series.
For example, André Bormanis pitched a prequel to the Original Series episode “The Cloud Minders,” which featured an upper class of citizens literally living in the clouds while an underclass labored in the mines below. Bormani pitched an episode that would have shown the city in the sky being built while social unease and income inequality grew worse. Coto wanted to shoot this episode for Season 5, but Enterprise was canceled before that could happen.
From The Romulan War To World War III
Speaking of the Coto and his scrapped plans for Enterprise, he was really keen on finally portraying the Romulan War onscreen. Mike Sussman confirmed that the late showrunner wanted to finally show the audience the Earth/Romulus conflict that had only been referenced in passing back in the Original Series. Brannon Braga chimed in and alluded to Coto having this planned out for Season 5, confirming that the early cancellation of Enterprise took yet another awesome story away from us.
Judith and Garfield Reeves-Stevens confirmed they had pitched an episode where Colonel Green (previously seen in the TOS episode “The Savage Curtain”) would survive and torment the descendants of those who fought him, with the audience discovering that Reed’s grandfather supported Green. In case his name doesn’t ring a bell, Green is the war criminal generally credited with starting World War III. Bringing him into an Enterprise episode would have shed light on Star Trek’s most mysterious and generally unexplored time period, but this episode was rejected because it was too similar to storylines involving the Khan-like Augments, themselves a remnant of WW3-era Earth.
Borg Queen Origin Story
This same writing duo also pitched an episode where Alice Krige plays the head of Starfleet Medical and willingly chooses “to join the Collective.” For better or for worse, this would have provided an origin story for the Borg Queen, a character that many Star Trek fans feel has never made much sense.
This would have been a high-risk, high-reward story because it would either finally nestle this strange character into existing canon or ruin the Borg altogether. However, Reeves-Stevens have a great track record(they also wrote some of the best fiction and non-fiction books in Trek history), so if anyone could pull it off, it’s them.
Archer Meets Both Kirk And Sisko Amid The Trouble With Tribbles
The husband/wife writing duo’s final rejected Enterprise pitch was, far and away, the most ambitious. Had the show made it to Season 7, they wanted to feature one last Temporal Cold War episode in which Captain Archer and his crew would have to return to space station K-7 during the events of “The Trouble With Tribbles.”
There, they’d run into both Kirk’s crew from the original episode and Sisko’s crew from “Trials and Tribble-ations.” In retrospect, such an ambitious episode would have been far better than the Enterprise finale, which turned the show’s final story into Commander Riker’s bizarre holodeck simulation.
The Path Not Taken
That series finale was so bad that many Star Trek fans are grateful that Enterprise was canceled before it could get any worse. However, aside from the finale, Season 4 was a high point for this controversial show, and these rejected stories reveal the series’s still untapped potential.
Now, I can’t help but wonder if these episodes could have turned the metaphorical ship around, getting both fans and the network on board for more adventures with the franchise’s quirkiest crew. Had that happened, Enterprise would not have been canceled, and the future of Star Trek might not have landed in the hands of the creative world’s most fearsome villain: Alex Kurtzman.
Entertainment
Nicole Kidman’s R-Rated Satire On Netflix Is A Masterclass In Manipulation
By Robert Scucci
| Updated
After watching Nicole Kidman’s Before I Go To Sleep on Netflix a couple weeks ago, I needed something that didn’t completely waste her talent. My search led me to 1995’s To Die For, which has such a stacked cast you’d think I was exaggerating if you didn’t check IMDb or Wikipedia yourself. Going as pitch black as a Gus Van Sant comedy can get, To Die For showcases Joaquin Phoenix, Casey Affleck, Kurtwood Smith, Wayne Knight, Matt Dillon, and even David Cronenberg in a brief appearance.
It’s a fourth-wall-breaking film that works as a thriller, comedy, drama, and mockumentary all at once, rolled into a murder mystery centered on Nicole Kidman’s Suzanne Stone, a woman so obsessed with fame and fortune that she throws her entire life away when nobody around her sticks to the script.
Multiple Timelines Effortlessly Intersect
There are two narratives in To Die For that strip away any real sense of mystery from the premise. Through television interviews, we’re introduced to Suzanne Stone, who got off scot-free after her husband, Larry Maretto (Matt Dillon), was murdered. We know she’s involved, maybe even directly responsible, right off the rip, but that’s not what the film is interested in. Instead, we get a full character breakdown of Suzanne and her sociopathic commitment to becoming a TV star. We know Larry is dead, and we know she had something to do with it. The story then rewinds to show us how everything led up to those interviews, introducing everyone she crossed paths with along the way.
Desperate to become a world-famous TV correspondent, Suzanne grows resentful of her husband Larry, despite the fact that he gives up his band and focuses on work so he can support her dreams. The guy does a complete 180, even though he comes from a mob-connected family running multiple successful businesses. In other words, Larry was never a screwup, but he still buckles down when he falls in love with Suzanne because he wants the best for her. That contrast exists purely to show just how unhinged Suzanne is when it comes to chasing clout.
While Larry works his ass off, occasionally hinting that he’d like to start a family, Suzanne takes a job at WWEN, a local cable network, under the supervision of Ed Grant (Wayne Knight), who we learn through interviews is absolutely terrified of her. It’s one thing to be ambitious, but Suzanne is aggressively so, making most people rightfully suspicious of what she’s capable of, including Larry’s sister Janice (Illeana Douglas).
While working her way toward a weather girl position, Suzanne recruits naive high school students for a “Teens Speak Out” documentary she hopes will launch her career. She pulls in a troublemaker named Jimmy (Joaquin Phoenix), who immediately falls under her spell, along with Lydia (Alison Folland), who admires her, and Russell (Casey Affleck), who was basically forced to participate. With three teenagers eating out of the palm of her hand, Suzanne starts plotting how to get rid of Larry, who she believes is holding her back because he wants a traditional life she finds completely suffocating.
A Masterclass In Manipulation
If I had to compare Nicole Kidman’s Suzanne to anybody, it would be Reese Witherspoon’s Tracy Flick from Election. She’s beautiful, driven, and easily the most dangerous person you could cross paths with if you happen to be in her way of her goals. Suzanne’s ruthlessness is initially softened by how charming and driven she is when she makes her first impressions. When you apply that level of manipulation to a group of teenagers, it’s only a matter of time before they start doing exactly what you want. This dynamic comes to a head when Suzanne fully sinks her hooks into Jimmy.
But nobody here is innocent. Suzanne may be the mastermind who sets everything in motion, but everyone else is self-aware enough to know better. That’s where half the fun comes from. Jimmy might be infatuated, but he still makes his own choices. Suzanne sizes him up, offers him a version of the life he thinks he wants, and he goes along with it despite the consequences because he’s short-sighted and naive. It’s fascinating to watch because at any point, anyone in Suzanne’s orbit could have just said “nah” and walked away. But they don’t.
One of the more uniquely structured black comedies I’ve seen in a while, To Die For is equal parts morbid and hilarious. Every character is painfully short-sighted, and they all become worse versions of themselves the moment they fall for Suzanne’s tricks. And while you should hate Suzanne for being an objectively terrible person, you still end up rooting for her because she’s living life on her own terms, just in the most antisocial way possible.
To Die For is currently streaming on Netflix.
Entertainment
NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for April 19, 2026
Today’s Connections: Sports Edition will be a little easier if you love baseball.
As we’ve shared in previous hints stories, this is a version of the popular New York Times word game that seeks to test the knowledge of sports fans.
Like the original Connections, 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 the latest Connections solution. But if you’d rather solve it yourself, keep reading for some clues, tips, and strategies to assist you.
What is Connections: Sports Edition?
The NYT‘s latest daily word game has launched in association with The Athletic, the New York Times property that provides the publication’s sports coverage. The sports Connections can be played on both web browsers and mobile devices and require players to group four words that share something in common.
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Each puzzle features 16 words, and each grouping of words is split into four categories. These sets could comprise 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 before the game ends.
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Players 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.
Mashable Top Stories
Here’s a hint for today’s Connections: Sports Edition categories
Want a hint about the categories without being told the categories? Then give these a try:
Here are today’s Connections: Sports Edition categories
Need a little extra help? Today’s connections fall into the following categories:
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Yellow: AL East Teams
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Green: First Words of Football Positions
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Blue: Premier League Managers
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Purple: Nicknames for the Dodgers Franchise, Over Time
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: Sports Edition #573 is…
What is the answer to Connections: Sports Edition today?
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AL East Teams — BLUE JAYS, ORIOLES, RAYS, YANKEES
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First Words of Football Positions — DEFENSIVE, RUNNING, TIGHT, WIDE
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Premier League Managers — EMERY, GUARDIOLA, MOYES, SLOT
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Nicknames for the Dodgers Franchise, Over Time — BRIDEGROOMS, DODGERS, ROBINS, SUPERBAS
Don’t feel down if you didn’t manage to guess it this time. There will be new sports Connections 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.
If you’re looking for more puzzles, Mashable’s got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.
Not the day you’re after? Here’s the solution to yesterday’s Connections.
Entertainment
NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for April 19, 2026
The NYT Connections puzzle today is not too difficult if you have a sweet tooth.
Connections is the one of the most popular New York Times word games 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 today’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.
This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.
Each 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.
This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.
Players 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.
Mashable 101 Fan Fave: Nominate your favorite creators today
Mashable Top Stories
Here’s a hint for today’s Connections categories
Want a hint about the categories without being told the categories? Then give these a try:
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Yellow: Lippy
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Green: Gowns
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Blue: Played in Vegas
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Purple: Sweet treats
Here are today’s Connections categories
Need a little extra help? Today’s connections fall into the following categories:
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Yellow: Cheeky
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Green: Dress measurements
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Blue: Cards in Texas Hold ‘Em
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Purple: Last words of candy brands in the singular
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 #1043 is…
What is the answer to Connections today
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Cheeky: ARCH, FRESH, SASSY, WISE
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Dress measurements: BUST, HIPS, LENGTH, WAIST
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Cards in Texas Hold ‘Em: FLOP, HOLE, RIVER, TURN
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Last words of candy brands in the singular: CAP, DUD, KID, MINT
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.
Are you also playing NYT Strands? Get all the Strands hints you need for today’s puzzle.
If you’re looking for more puzzles, Mashable’s got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.
Not the day you’re after? Here’s the solution to yesterday’s Connections.
Experienced Lightning face young Canadiens in first round
Nicole Kidman’s R-Rated Satire On Netflix Is A Masterclass In Manipulation
