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Devoted viewers of Star Trek: Picard will already be familiar with the phrase “Maps and Legends,” given that it is the title of the second episode of the first season of the series. However, that episode, written by Akiva Goldsman and Michael Chabon, takes its title from a 2008 collection of Chabon’s nonfiction essays. Far from being a simple re-appropriation of a favored title, the connection between the collection of essays and the storytelling philosophies on display in Pi

These recaps were originally published on the dearly defunct Geek Girl Authority. RIP. We are reposting them in honor of the franchise’s 60th anniversary — and beyond — and as a way to keep some of our past work alive in the era of failing digital archives. Spock (Ethan Peck) headlines in the seventh episode of Star Trek: Strange New Worlds, “The Serene Squall.” The episode was written by Beau DeMayo & Sarah Tarkoff and directed by Sydney Freeland. Earth to Spock At the Ank

For this week’s Trek Thursday, we’re covering five Star Trek episodes where things get spooky.

Star Trek: Discovery got tagged “too woke,” but the Federation’s own charter says otherwise. Here’s why Trek still has room to boldly go further.

These recaps were originally published on the dearly defunct Geek Girl Authority. RIP. We are reposting them in honor of the franchise’s 60th anniversary — and beyond — and as a way to keep some of our past work alive in the era of failing digital archives. The sixth episode of Star Trek: Strange New Worlds, “Lift Us Where Suffering Cannot Reach,” gives Captain Pike (Anson Mount) and Doctor M’Benga (Babs Olusanmokun) alike a chance for development. The episode was written by

VisionQuest turns grief into an identity crisis: Vision, Tommy Maximoff, and Thomas Shepard ask who they are after loss. Spoilers through ep. 4.

X-Files creator Chris Carter opens up about his first art exhibition, the Ryan Coogler reboot, AI, and why he’d rather not do sci-fi again.

These recaps were originally published on the dearly defunct Geek Girl Authority. RIP. We are reposting them in honor of the franchise’s 60th anniversary — and beyond — and as a way to keep some of our past work alive in the era of failing digital archives. The half-Vulcan, half-human Science Officer Spock (Ethan Peck) is centered in “Spock Amok.” The fifth episode of Star Trek: Strange New Worlds, written by Henry Alonso Myers & Robin Wasserman and directed by Rachel Leiter

There’s plenty to love about Star Trek: Prodigy, which is already living up to its name after just ten episodes. Between the return of our favorite Star Trek: Voyager characters, the introduction of an irresistible new cast, and a rich exploration of some of the themes and core concepts that are universal to all Trek shows, Prodigy has really hit the ground running. One example is the introduction of the concept of M-Class Planets in “Dreamcatcher,” and another is the exami

Context and analysis for fan speculation about Spider-Gwen being trans. After years of anticipation, Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse has been released in theaters. The sequel to 2018’s Oscar-winning Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse has captured the hearts and social media accounts of audiences in theaters everywhere. With several universes worth of Easter eggs and a cacophony of cliffhangers, the animated sequel offers plenty of conversation fodder. But in the days since

The fourth episode of Star Trek: Strange New Worlds, “Memento Mori,” gives us the first glimpse of the wrath of La’an (Christina Chong). It was written by Davy Perez & Beau DeMayo and directed by Dan Liu.

When I discuss how I relate to the trajectory of Wanda's grief from WandaVision to Multiverse of Madness in grief and loss support groups, many women violently nod in agreement. Thus, Wanda's story is one I have been able to use to bond with others going through something similar, offering me a connection even beyond my parasocial relationship with Scarlet Witch.

Movies have always been obsessed with disability and the threat of disability, especially in the horror genre. Visible disability and disfigurement have long been dependable narrative devices for creators to produce a scare factor. In horror movies, this is true for the heroes, villains, extras, and everyone in between.

These recaps were originally published on the dearly defunct Geek Girl Authority. RIP. We are reposting them in honor of the franchise’s 60th anniversary — and beyond — and as a way to keep some of our past work alive in the era of failing digital archives. “Ghosts of Illyria” was written by Akela Cooper & Bill Wolkoff and directed by Leslie Hope. We open on the USS Enterprise arriving at Hetemit IX, a planet being swept by an ion storm. In voiceover, a First Officer’s log

Here’s where to find the backstory for Never Flinch’s Holly, and why it’s worth catching up with her story.

While Stephen King’s reputation may be for horror novels, to dismiss him as 'only' a horror writer is to overlook some of his best work, such as Rita Hayworth and the Shawshank Redemption, and The Life of Chuck.

Stephen King’s Carrie doesn’t lack live-action adaptations. There’s Brian De Palma's 1976 film, the 2002 TV movie, the 2013 remake, and even a (very memorable) Broadway musical. However, Mike Flanagan isn't interested in retreading the telekinetic-revenge story. His eight-episode Prime Video series, from Amazon MGM Studios, is the first time King's novel has been adapted as a TV series. It argues Carrie White isn't the horror; it’s the systems around her. Carrie was King's d

Just like trans people IRL, the trans characters of Marvel have been here (and aren’t going anywhere) Recently, rumors have circulated that Gwen Stacy, AKA Spider-Gwen, is depicted as trans in the recent summer sequel Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse. As previously discussed, it is unlikely that Gwen was intended to be textually trans. Nevertheless, a trans superhero in the Marvel multiverse can indeed be considered a more-than-probable proposition. In fact, there already

“And Scotty beamed them to the Klingon ship, where they would be no tribble at all.” In the now-classic Futurama season 4 episode 'Where No Fan Has Gone Before,' Trekkie Philip J. Fry discovers just how important Star Trek becomes to humanity during the 23rd century. As revealed in court martial testimony delivered by Trek legends George Takei and Nichelle Nichols, by the 2300s, Trek fandom has evolved into “a full-blown religion.” Ensuing gags include a congregation at the C

Retro Recap: STRANGE NEW WORLDS S1E1 “Strange New Worlds”