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Prime Video has consistently made clear who its heroes are: Cooper Howard, also known as The Ghoul, Lucy MacLean, and Maximus. Their intentions may not always be purely noble, but they are the characters audiences are meant to support. What is slightly harder to discern, however, is who exactly the villains are; over time, all the entities the characters held dear—such as Vault-Tec, the Brotherhood of Steel, and Hank MacLean—have been revealed to be secretly malevolent. Beneath these secondary antagonists, though, lies a far larger force pulling the strings, and as revealed in Season 2 Episode 7, this influence reaches all the way to the top. Warning! Spoilers ahead for Fallout Season 2’s “The Handoff.”Ron Perlman introduced Super-Mutants to Fallout in Season 2 Episode 6. | Amazon Prime Video At the conclusion of Season 2 Episode 6, viewers were introduced to their first Super-Mutant, who offered pointed warnings to the Ghoul. “They call us abominations, but they created our kind,” he states. “They drove us to the brink of extinction and erased us from memory. But we did not forget them… the ones who set this all in motion: The Enclave.”The Enclave is not a new element to the Fallout series. As early as Season 1, scientist Siggi Wilzig defected from the Enclave’s massive science lab, and his severed head became a critical plot device for the rest of the season. However, the true nature of the Enclave remained largely a mystery—unless fans were familiar with the games—until Season 2. The flashbacks in Season 2’s “The Handoff” follow Cooper Howard as he attempts to deliver a diode, which enables infinite energy, to Congresswoman Diane Welch. Welch assures him he can present it directly to the President. This proves to be a mistake: the President is tied to the Enclave, and Congresswoman Welch is revealed to be the mysterious “mainframe” powering the Vault that was seized by Hank MacLean. What Is The Enclave?Clancy Brown is, in fact, the first actor to portray the last president of the Fallout universe. | Amazon Prime VideoSo, what exactly is the Enclave? The Enclave is a secretive faction that views itself as the continuation of the United States, conducting scientific experiments in both labs and Vaults. It is the Enclave that developed the nefarious Vault experiments, and it is the Enclave that both created and despises the Super-Mutants. Their operations predate the nuclear bombs, meaning this is not merely a post-apocalyptic development—it is a vast conspiracy. Clancy Brown’s portrayal of the President of the United States marks a historic first for Fallout. While the Fallout games have included clues about the final POTUS, this is the first time he has been depicted on screen. Notably, he was referenced earlier in the series, as far back as the show’s opening moments. During the birthday party Cooper Howard attends with his daughter, a mother turns down a radio announcement stating, “negotiations were scheduled to continue today, though the White House had no comment on the President’s whereabouts.” Though this is the first time viewers have seen this President, he will vanish as events unravel, leaving the Enclave to carry out its mission of strange experiments and “abominations.” But what is the Enclave’s current objective—and how will they address the looming presence of the Super-Mutants in the Season 2 finale? Only one week remains to find out. Fallout Season 2 is now streaming on Amazon Prime Video.

Marvel StudiosAn actor of Ben Kingsley's caliber can easily make audiences emotionally invested. Thirteen years ago in Iron Man 3, he accomplished this the moment he shed his Mandarin disguise to expose that he was . While the effectiveness and ethical implications of this plot twist have sparked intense discussion ever since, Kingsley's portrayal remains undeniably sympathetic. Admittedly, his character embodies a cringe-worthy racial caricature, yet his complete cluelessness and infectious optimism provide some humor.Naturally, Marvel needed to address its controversial "reimagining" of the Mandarin, which it did through in 2021. In that film, director Destin Daniel Cretton presented the actual leader whose organization had been appropriated for an offensive stereotype, reconceiving the Mandarin as Xu Wenwu (Tony Leung) while bringing Trevor back as an incarcerated man atoning for his participation in the deception. This neatly resolved Iron Man 3's dangling threads, yet in this year's , Cretton demonstrates his continued interest in Trevor Slattery. Rather than dismissing him as mere misguided comedy, Wonder Man elevates the contentious decoy into a genuine, relatable human being worth supporting.Caution: the following contains spoilers for Wonder Man.Marvel isn’t done with The Mandarin, but that’s not a bad thing. | Marvel StudiosSimilar to many Marvel series, Wonder Man examines the practicalities of existence within an extraordinary universe. This down-to-earth narrative within the MCU creates room to unpack repercussions of past events that many viewers have overlooked. While some series fail at this—The Falcon and the Winter Soldier, for instance, mishandled its examination of the Blip—Wonder Man seizes the opportunity to dissect supervillainy's consequences. Over a decade after his Mandarin episode, Trevor still battles to rebuild an ordinary existence. He's identified wherever he travels by people recalling his terror campaign. Having not fully completed his incarceration, he's exploited as an asset of the . To compound matters, shadowy individuals from his pre-Mandarin days continue pursuing him.Trevor may weather these tribulations by embracing his eccentric Scouse positivity, yet his situation remains gravely serious. This lends genuine significance to his improbable friendship with budding performer Simon Williams (Yahya Abdul-Mateen II). Assigned by Damage Control to surveil Simon—to substantiate claims that his natural superpowers endanger public welfare—Trevor mentors him through tryouts for a superhero franchise revival as a means of proximity. In doing so, however, he unexpectedly reignites his own passion for acting.After 13 years, Wonder Man turns Trevor into a character you can root for. | Marvel StudiosTrevor's bond with Simon excavates fresh layers of his personality: while guiding the struggling young performer, he demonstrates depth beyond rigid punchlines and questionable ethics. Certainly, Trevor continues supplying most of Wonder Man’s comic relief, brilliantly so, yet it's refreshing to witness his fuller humanization. It's somewhat regrettable that the Mandarin identity still torments him to the extent that he resurrects the "character" to conceal Simon's hazardous powers. Although not precisely virtuous, Wonder Man compellingly argues for his humanity. At minimum, his struggles resonate as understandable. Trevor committed numerous errors in his younger years and continues facing repercussions throughout the series. Guiding Simon doesn't fully redeem him, though one might hope it would, if only because observing this mismatched pair interact proves thoroughly enjoyable.Wonder Man achieves peak entertainment when prioritizing character development over MCU connectivity, though narrative connections inevitably arise. Trevor functions as the most potent tether to broader franchise events; through his tie to Simon, the conflicts stay personal . Balancing this proves remarkably tricky, particularly when depending so substantially on a figure many were eager to discard. If Wonder Man demonstrates anything, it's that any element can find purpose within the MCU—requiring merely excellent writing and a dedicated actor to reveal its potential.Wonder Man is available on Disney+.

Paramount/CBSFans of Star Trek's 1990s productions are aware that the Cardassians battled Starfleet for at least fifteen years prior to the beginning of and . This notorious alien race continues to be iconic and significant, firmly embedded in the TNG/DS9 era's skillful treatment of symbolic narratives that mirrored actual geopolitical issues. However, are you aware of when and how the Cardassians were initially presented? Well into its fourth season, right in the heart of TNG's golden era, the series presented the Cardassians as if we had been familiar with them from the start. Presently, this clever retcon fits seamlessly into an episode that remains compelling not just for its narrative, but because it quietly altered Starfleet's established situation.“The Wounded” premiered on January 28, 1991, immediately following the beloved “Data's Day,” which had successfully persuaded audiences that Keiko () had been a longtime civilian crew member, despite only being introduced at her wedding to Miles O'Brien (Colm Meaney). During a period when serialized science fiction wasn't yet standard, TNG had mastered the technique of nonchalantly debuting a new figure, then promptly leveraging our immediate connection to them. The earlier Season 4 installment “Family,” for instance, accomplished this by introducing Picard's brother, nephew, and sister-in-law simultaneously.Captain Maxwell (Bob Gunton) and Captain Picard (Patrick Stewart) square off in “The Wounded.” | Paramount/CBSThis emphasis on character-driven narratives largely originated from script editor Michael Piller, who, beginning with Season 3, centered numerous TNG episodes around particular characters. Surprisingly, “The Wounded” functions as a Chief O'Brien story. Though a cherished TNG figure who would later become a key regular on Deep Space Nine, O'Brien wasn't among the principal cast. The decision to concentrate on his conflicted allegiance to rogue Captain Benjamin Maxwell (Bob Gunton) is noteworthy, because TNG wasn't just retroactively presenting a powerful alien species, but was doing so via a character examination of a secondary character.“The Wounded” was only the second episode featuring the O’Briens as a couple. | Paramount/CBSThe premise of “The Wounded” is outstanding: the Enterprise is scheduled to rendezvous with a Cardassian vessel, but swiftly discovers that another Starfleet ship, the Phoenix, has been assaulting Cardassian ships. We discover that Picard had also battled the Cardassians while serving on the Stargazer, making the Cardassians suddenly resemble the Romulans from The Original Series; former adversaries who currently maintain a tense peace with the Federation. Yet the rebellious Maxwell insists the Cardassians are plotting something, and he's destroying their vessels to prevent it.Although this premise suggests an action-heavy installment, virtually all phaser and photon torpedo combat occurs off-screen. The suspense in this story is entirely intimate; O'Brien is grappling with post-traumatic stress from his earlier encounters with the Cardassians, while Maxwell has completely broken down after his whole family was killed in a Cardassian attack.Gunton might have portrayed Maxwell as a simplistic madman, but you perceive that he is genuinely shattered. The actor was , and you can detect authentic military discipline (and genuine anguish) throughout his scenes. The sole individual capable of making Maxwell cease his campaign of terror is O'Brien, who accompanies him in performing an ancient Irish hymn believed to honor the numerous casualties of the . This gentle scene communicates that Maxwell remains engaged in a conflict that concluded years before, and although he's ultimately vindicated about the Cardassians' scheming, it wasn't his role to shatter a delicate peace.Picard and Gul Macet, the first Cardassian played by Marc Alaimo. | Paramount/CBSFollowing the finale of “The Wounded,” TNG acquired fresh cold war adversaries in the Cardassians, an enormous component of Trek lore that would influence Deep Space Nine and contribute to launching Voyager. Alamio's depiction of Macet was so impressive that he subsequently portrayed the recurring DS9 antagonist Gul Dukat, a character inspired the interpretation of his own villain in Starfleet Academy.Thirty-five years ago, however, “The Wounded” was merely another Next Gen installment concentrating on a particular character. It was expanding the Enterprise's extended family and providing perspective on tormented starship commanders who weren't our fearless protagonists. Yet with the clever introduction of the Cardassians, the episode also propelled The Next Generation into more somber, ethically questionable terrain, establishing not only some of its finest episodes, but the foundation for Deep Space Nine just a few years afterward. Quite impressive for a single hour of television.Star Trek: The Next Generation is available for streaming on Paramount+.

New Line CinemaIs grief something that can truly vanish, or does it just lie inactive, waiting to resurface? Losing a loved one can be one of the most profoundly in a person’s life, and in Jonathan Glazer’s 2004 film Birth, Anna () is still coming to terms with ten years without her husband, Sean. But she’s beginning to move forward, having found a caring partner in Joseph (Danny Huston) and agreed to his marriage proposal. Even with Anna’s hesitation, there’s a subtle sense of expectation as she gets ready for the next chapter of her life.But one night, at her engagement party, a 10-year-old boy (Cameron Bright) arrives at Anna’s apartment and says he’s the reincarnation of Sean. It sounds ridiculous, but the child has knowledge about Anna and Sean’s relationship that he couldn’t possibly have. His certainty and insights make Anna doubt everything and slip back into the hopelessness of grief as she considers the unthinkable. Birth is a slow-paced, visually artistic, and puzzling film. Glazer himself described it as which is very accurate. Its concept is ambitious, but when you watch it, everything feels completely rooted in reality. And now it’s simpler than ever to watch it yourself, since Criterion has put out a .How was Birth Received Upon Release?To put it briefly, very poorly. It debuted at the 2004 Venice Film Festival, and the press screening—usually calm, quiet events—resulted in . It stirred up some controversy because of its uneasy subject matter, especially a scene where Anna and the young Sean take a bath together (they weren’t actually filmed naked, but the movie gives that impression). News of the Venice screening spread quickly, and Birth seemed doomed right from the beginning. The film made only $23.9 million globally on a $20 million budget.Critics back then were also very negative. Jack Matthews “corny, slow-moving” and “unbelievable,” while at , David Denby called Birth a “strange mix of talented people and foolish ideas.” It wasn’t entirely negative (Roger Ebert, for one, praised it), but it only got a 42% rating on .Bright went on to appear in the Twilight films, while Lauren Bacall, as Anna’s mother, needs no introduction. | New Line CinemaWhy Is Birth Important to See Now?Even though it was badly received, Birth has gained a bit of a cult following. Since making Birth, Glazer has directed two highly praised films: Under the Skin (2013) and The Zone of Interest (2023), the latter of which won an Oscar. That’s made people go back and check out the one film in his career that’s seen as a failure. Anyone willing to watch Birth will get to experience a beautiful, weird, and captivating world. So much of modern cinema—especially streaming content—is being simplified, but Birth makes you think about everything you’re seeing, and keeps you thinking long after the movie ends.On a more practical note, the new 4K release looks amazing. Cinematographer Harris Savides uses visually striking compositions that leave a lasting impression, and every shadow is intentional and suggestive. There’s an incredible tracking shot that ends with a close-up of Anna at the opera which is worth buying the release for by itself. In that shot, Anna deals with the news that her late husband might be back, shifting between excitement, anxiety, fear, nervousness, and confusion. Kidman’s performance in Birth is outstanding, and it’s one of the most exceptional depictions of grief I’ve ever witnessed.The situation is tough on everyone, but Kidman’s performance stands out. | New Line CinemaWhat New Features Does the Birth 4K Blu-ray Have?This doesn’t have a lot of new extras, but what’s there is all interesting. There’s a making-of documentary with plenty of behind-the-scenes clips, and a long 2004 Charlie Rose interview with Kidman and Glazer. The best part, especially for anyone interested in cinematography, is a detailed look at Savides’ work, explained by camera operator Craig Haagensen and first assistant cameraman Eric Swanek. There’s also a thoughtful essay by Olivia Laing in the disc’s booklet. Here’s Criterion’s complete list of features:New 4K digital restoration, supervised and approved by director Jonathan Glazer, with 5.1 surround DTS-HD Master Audio soundtrackOne 4K UHD disc of the film presented in Dolby Vision HDR and one Blu-ray with the film and special featuresInterview from 2004 with Glazer and actor Nicole KidmanNew documentary on the making of the film featuring behind-the-scenes footage and interviews with Glazer, producers, and members of the castNew program on the film’s cinematography featuring interviews with camera operator Craig Haagensen and first assistant cameraman Eric SwanekTrailerEnglish subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing

Marvel StudiosMarvel's newest series hardly resembles a typical Marvel project, yet it still shifts the franchise's landscape in key ways. Wonder Man presents one of the MCU's most grounded stories, following a template closer to The Studio than Iron Man. The protagonist, Simon Williams (Yahya Abdul-Mateen II), aspires to be an actor, a goal complicated by his unexplained abilities. Insuring a Hollywood set with a super-powered person is prohibitively expensive, forcing Simon to conceal his powers while auditioning for a superhero film role—a deeply ironic situation.As the series progresses, Simon's grip on his powers weakens. He finds an unlikely friend in Trevor Slattery (Ben Kingsley), the esteemed actor whose career was damaged by his association with the Mandarin, but this help may not be enough. The concluding episodes of Wonder Man bring Simon and Trevor to their absolute limit. Against the odds, the pair manages to emerge unscathed, and Simon may well be positioned as a future Avenger for Marvel.Warning: spoilers ahead for Wonder Man.Wonder Man’s ending, explainedActing may be Simon’s calling, but the pull of his powers is stronger. | Marvel StudiosDespite landing parts in Von Kovak's (Zlatko Buric) Wonder Man reboot, Simon and Trevor encounter a serious problem early in filming. A New York Times reporter aims to chronicle Simon's sudden fame, leading him to believe she has uncovered his secret. In reality, the Times is more interested in Trevor's questionable history. Trevor avoided finishing his prison term for his actions as the Mandarin by making a deal to capture dangerous enhanced individuals. (Billions were spent on a new supermax prison, which now requires inmates to validate its cost.) Discovering Trevor has been surveilling him for months causes Simon to snap, setting off a massive explosion on the studio lot.The next day, Simon prepares to surrender, certain the DODC will arrest him. Instead, Trevor steps in, taking responsibility for the blast by resurrecting his Mandarin persona and turning himself in. This allows Simon to complete the film and achieve instant stardom. However, Agent Cleary (Arian Moayed) is aware Simon caused the set disaster. Lab analysis of the wreckage reveals the explosion was powered by a catastrophic ionic pulse. Simon is far more formidable than imagined: his body acts as a channel for electromagnetic energy. Cleary no longer views him as a danger, but instead labels him a "powerful asset."What Simon’s powers mean for the MCUSimon has just scratched the surface of his potential. | Marvel StudiosWhile Cleary's plans are unclear, his theories are validated when Simon breaks into the DODC's supermax prison and flies out with Trevor. This act makes them both wanted criminals, though Cleary will likely pardon them in return for their service as heroes. Simon is only starting to tap into his capabilities: in the source material, his physical might is likened to Thor's. Beyond sheer strength, he possesses extreme resilience, having battled beings like the Hulk to a draw and endured conflicts fatal to others. He later develops enhanced senses, healing powers, and even eternal life.The fact that the MCU's Simon appears to have been born with these powers enhances his significance. The original comic book character acquired his abilities from ionic radiation, but this Simon might be a mutant. This opens up compelling narrative paths: he could follow his comics role in founding the West Coast Avengers, or he might help introduce the X-Men, who are expected to emerge following Avengers: Secret Wars. Regardless, Wonder Man's future possibilities are vast.Wonder Man is streaming on Disney+.

Amazon Prime VideoThe Fallout television series and video game franchise both explore themes of independence, western motifs, and the American dream. However, America isn't the sole nation in this universe, though it's easy to overlook that fact when navigating the Wasteland's numerous factions and vaults.Season 2 Episode 7 of Fallout opens with a scene set in a foreign country, exposing both a major betrayal and a concealed portion of Fallout history.Spoilers ahead for Fallout Season 2's "The Handoff."The Battle of Anchorage that Cooper Howard fought in led to a big move in geopolitics. | Amazon Prime VideoThe installment begins with two women sprinting through a wintry forest while pursued by attackers. After one is gunned down, their identities become clear: Steph, the future eyepatched Overseer of Vault 33, and her mother. As her mother dies, she commands Steph to reach America by any means necessary. "They're not humans," she declares. "They're Americans."This clarifies a major revelation from an earlier episode, when Chet uncovered a hidden compartment containing Steph's pre-war wallet and identification—a temporary status card designating her as Canadian. Yet more jarring than her nationality is how the card labels Canada: "United States Annexed Territory Canada."Steph's ID revealing her true birthdate and nationality as seen in Fallout Season 2. | Amazon Prime VideoIn established Fallout lore, China stands as the perpetual adversary, a fact reflected in Cooper Howard's Battle of Anchorage flashbacks. Following China's 2066 invasion of Alaska, the United States pressured Canadian authorities to accept escalating military presence until America fully absorbed Canada. This yielded multiple advantages: the U.S. could access Alaskan front lines more readily and exploit Canada's abundant natural resources.After the apocalypse dissolved the United States, its annexation naturally dissolved as well. Nevertheless, this episode demonstrates that anti-Canadian bias remains widespread, perpetuated by centuries of vault dwellers transmitting propaganda across generations. Therefore, Steph isn't merely one of Bud's pre-war associates—she was never technically American to begin with. With only one episode remaining, Vault 33's response to this revelation could determine the series' future direction.Fallout Season 2 Episode 7 is now streaming on Prime Video.