Entertainment
Star Trek’s Most Hated Relationship Started As A Joke
By Chris Snellgrove
| Published
The Star Trek: The Next Generation episode “Parallels” is controversial for many reasons, including the fact that it basically brought the concept of the multiverse to this long-running sci-fi franchise. Arguably, though, the most controversial thing about this episode is that it introduced the idea of a romance between Worf and Deanna Troi, and they entered into a relationship that lasted the rest of the series. This angered many fans, and they’ll probably get even angrier at this particular revelation: the Worf/Troi relationship started as a literal joke among the show’s writers.
In case you needed any more reasons to embrace physical media, the Star Trek: The Next Generation Blu-rays are full of special features with plenty of surprising insights into the show, including what the writers thought about various character romances. For example, the Season 7 set includes a commentary track for “Parallels” in which veteran show writer Brannon Braga revealed that the very idea of making Worf and Troi a couple began as a joke in the writer’s room.
The Joke That Nobody Laughed At
He didn’t elaborate on how the joke started, but it presumably had to do with the wild differences between these two characters. After all, she’s a warm and gentle Betazoid therapist who can read emotions, and he’s a gruff and angry Klingon security chief who solves all his problems with violence!
Incidentally, the joke started much earlier than you might think. Even though the Worf/Troi romance (Troirf? Tough to give these two a celebrity couple name!) didn’t start until Season 7, Braga (as quoted in Star Trek: The Next Generation Companion) claimed that the writers started dropping hints that these two might get together as early as Season 5. This is most clear in the episode “Ethics,” where Worf asked Troi (someone that he had been relying on for parenting advice) to become the guardian of his son, Alexander, in the event of Worf’s death.
Putting Together The Clues (Or Not)
If you didn’t clock those early clues about a Worf and Troi romance, don’t be too hard on yourself. Branna Braga claimed that “most people didn’t pick up on the relationship we were trying to evolve,” something he thought “was good.” He liked that most fans missed these clues because one alternate universe in “Parallels” showed these characters as man and wife, and he wanted “that surprise when we find out they’re married” to be as explosive as possible.
It may have started as a joke, but when did the Star Trek: The Next Generation writers start taking the idea of a Worf/Troi romance more seriously? According to Braga, it began when the writers and production crew were reviewing the dailies (the raw, unedited footage of scenes shot throughout the day) for various episodes. They began to notice that actors Michael Dorn and Marina Sirtis had a surprising amount of chemistry in their shared scenes, and they began a long-term plan to transform Worf and Troi into the show’s most surprising couple.
Romance? Set Your Phasers To Stunning!
While this was an undoubtedly bold move, it didn’t make everyone happy. For example, executive producer Jeri Taylor (also quoted in Star Trek: The Next Generation Companion) said that the “Worf-Troi thing” was “kinda fun, but it infuriates some people.” According to her, the angriest fans were the ones who were “so upset that we didn’t put Riker and Troi together and just get it over with,” and their collective response to the show’s creative team boiled down to “how dare we introduce this!”
Ironically enough, Riker actor Jonathan Frakes also disliked the relationship, because (as quoted in Star Trek: Communicator, issue 105) the very idea “is just absurd!” He noted that “it makes for great material at conventions, but for real character development, I think it’s ridiculous. Later, he got to rectify this storytelling mistake in a bold way: in Frakes’ Star Trek: Insurrection, he rekindled the romance between Riker and Troi, and the two ultimately got married in Star Trek: Nemesis.
Brannon Braga may have been tickled by the idea of hooking Worf and Troi up, but it wasn’t meant to be: not only did Troi go on to marry Riker, but Worf ended up marrying Jadzia Dax, a character who tragically died at the hands of Gul Dukat. To this day, Star Trek fans are still scratching their heads, asking questions like, “What did Worf and Troi even talk about on dates?” Of course, after Discovery seemingly confirmed that Klingons have two penises, fans had more questions (and quite a few more fanfics) about this controversial couple than ever before!
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.
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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.
