IT General

NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for September 24, 2025

Mashable - Wed, 09/24/2025 - 04:00

Today's Connections: Sports Edition requires some emoji interpretation.

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.

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable 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. 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 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.

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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.

SEE ALSO: NYT Mini crossword answers, hints for September 20, 2025 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:

  • Yellow: Teams of the ice

  • Green: Women's basketball

  • Blue: College invitational games

  • Purple: Types of balls

Featured Video For You Connections: How to play and how to win Here are today's Connections Sports Edition categories

Need a little extra help? Today's connections fall into the following categories:

  • Yellow: NHL Teams

  • Green: WNBA Teams

  • Blue: College Football Bowl Games

  • Purple: ___Ball

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 #366 is...

What is the answer to Connections Sports Edition today
  • NHL Teams - DUCKS, MAPLE LEAFS, SHARKS, STARS

  • WNBA Teams - LIBERTY, STORM, SUN, WINGS

  • College Football Bowl Games - GATOR, ORANGE, PEACH, ROSE

  • ___Ball - BASKET, FOOT, HAND, PAINT

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? 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 today's Connections.

Categories: IT General, Technology

NYT Pips hints, answers for September 24, 2025

Mashable - Wed, 09/24/2025 - 04:00

Happy Saturday and welcome to your guide to Pips, the latest game in the New York Times catalogue.

Released in August 2025, the Pips puts a unique spin on dominoes, creating a fun single-player experience that could become your next daily gaming habit.

Currently, if you're stuck, the game only offers to reveal the entire puzzle, forcing you to move onto the next difficulty level and start over. However, we have you covered! Below are piecemeal answers that will serve as hints so that you can find your way through each difficulty level.

How to play Pips

If you've ever played dominoes, you'll have a passing familiarity for how Pips is played. As we've shared in our previous hints stories for Pips, the tiles, like dominoes, are placed vertically or horizontally and connect with each other. The main difference between a traditional game of dominoes and Pips is the color-coded conditions you have to address. The touching tiles don't necessarily have to match.

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for September 20, 2025

The conditions you have to meet are specific to the color-coded spaces. For example, if it provides a single number, every side of a tile in that space must add up to the number provided. It is possible – and common – for only half a tile to be within a color-coded space.

Here are common examples you'll run into across the difficulty levels:

  • Number: All the pips in this space must add up to the number.

  • Equal: Every domino half in this space must be the same number of pips.

  • Not Equal: Every domino half in this space must have a completely different number of pips.

  • Less than: Every domino half in this space must add up to less than the number.

  • Greater than: Every domino half in this space must add up to more than the number.

If an area does not have any color coding, it means there are no conditions on the portions of dominoes within those spaces.

SEE ALSO: NYT Strands hints, answers for September 19, 2025 Easy difficulty hints, answers for Sept. 24 Pips

Number (6): Everything in this space must add to 6. The answer is 2-5, placed vertically; 2-2, placed horizontally; 0-4, placed vertically.

Number (10): Everything in this space must add to 10. The answer is 4-6, placed horizontally; 0-4, placed vertically.

Medium difficulty hints, answers for Sept. 24 Pips

Greater Than (10): Everything in this space must be greater than 10. The answer is 4-6, placed horizontally; 6-5, placed horizontally.

Number (2): Everything in this space must add to 2. The answer is 2-3, placed horizontally.

Equal (4): Everything in this space must be equal to 4. The answer is 4-6, placed horizontally; 4-4, placed vertically; 4-2, placed horizontally.

Equal (5): Everything in this space must be equal to 5. The answer is 6-5, placed horizontally; 4-5, placed horizontally; 5-3, placed horizontally.

Equal (3): Everything in this space must be equal to 3. The answer is 5-3, placed horizontally; 3-3, placed vertically; 2-3, placed horizontally.

Hard difficulty hints, answers for Sept. 24 Pips

Equal (2): Everything in this space must be equal to 2. The answer is 2-2, placed vertically.

Less Than (1): Everything in this space must be less than 1. The answer is 5-0, placed vertically.

Less Than (1): Everything in this space must be less than 1. The answer is 0-6, placed horizontally.

Number (10): Everything in this space must add to 10. The answer is 3-5, placed horizontally; 5-5, placed horizontally.

Equal (3): Everything in this space must be equal to 3. The answer is 3-5, placed horizontally; 3-3, placed vertically; 3-2, placed horizontally.

Not Equal: Everything in this space must be different. The answer is 3-1, placed horizontally; 5-5, placed horizontally; 3-2, placed horizontally; 4-4, placed vertically; 0-6, placed horizontally; 1-6, placed horizontally.

Number (1): Everything in this space must add to 1. The answer is 3-1, placed horizontally.

Number (4): Everything in this space must add to 4. The answer is 4-4, placed vertically.

Number (6): Everything in this space must add to 6. The answer is 1-6, placed horizontally.

If you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.

Categories: IT General, Technology

NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for September 24, 2025

Mashable - Wed, 09/24/2025 - 04:00

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.

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable 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.

The NYT Connections puzzle today shouldn't be hard to solve if you frequent the cinema.

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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.

SEE ALSO: NYT Pips hints, answers for September 2, 2025 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:

  • Yellow: What one would watch in a cinema

  • Green: To disperse

  • Blue: They're creased

  • Purple: Pleasant

Featured Video For You Connections: How to play and how to win Here are today's Connections categories

Need a little extra help? Today's connections fall into the following categories:

  • Yellow: Movie

  • Green: Strew

  • Blue: Wrinkly things

  • Purple: Sweet ___

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 #836 is...

What is the answer to Connections today
  • Movie: FEATURE, FILM, FLICK, PICTURE

  • Strew: LITTER, PEPPER, SCATTER, SPRINKLE

  • Wrinkly things: BRAIN, CREPE PAPER, PRUNE, SHARP PEI

  • Sweet ___: POTATO, SIXTEEN, TALK, TOOTH

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.

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for September 2, 2025

Are you also playing NYT 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 today's Connections.

Categories: IT General, Technology

NYT Strands hints, answers for September 24, 2025

Mashable - Wed, 09/24/2025 - 04:00

If you're reading this, you're looking for a little help playing Strands, the New York Times' elevated word-search game.

Strands requires the player to perform a twist on the classic word search. Words can be made from linked letters — up, down, left, right, or diagonal, but words can also change direction, resulting in quirky shapes and patterns. Every single letter in the grid will be part of an answer. There's always a theme linking every solution, along with the "spangram," a special, word or phrase that sums up that day's theme, and spans the entire grid horizontally or vertically.

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable

By providing an opaque hint and not providing the word list, Strands creates a brain-teasing game that takes a little longer to play than its other games, like Wordle and Connections.

If you're feeling stuck or just don't have 10 or more minutes to figure out today's puzzle, we've got all the NYT Strands hints for today's puzzle you need to progress at your preferred pace.

Today's NYT Strands puzzle should be easy to solve, provided that you're familiar with body language.

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for September 2, 2025 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for September 2, 2025 NYT Strands hint for today’s theme: Lip service

The words are related to body language.

Today’s NYT Strands theme plainly explained

These words are ways to show emotions.

NYT Strands spangram hint: Is it vertical or horizontal?

Today's NYT Strands spangram is vertical.

NYT Strands spangram answer today

Today's spangram is Expressions.

Featured Video For You Strands 101: How to win NYT’s latest word game NYT Strands word list for September 24
  • Smile

  • Sneer

  • Frown

  • Smirk

  • Expressions

  • Grin

  • Scowl

  • Gape

  • Pout

Looking for other daily online games? Mashable's Games page has more hints, and 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 today's Strands.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Wordle today: Answer, hints for September 24, 2025

Mashable - Wed, 09/24/2025 - 04:00

Oh hey there! If you're here, it must be time for Wordle. As always, we're serving up our daily hints and tips to help you figure out today's answer.

If you just want to be told today's word, you can jump to the bottom of this article for today's Wordle solution revealed. But if you'd rather solve it yourself, keep reading for some clues, tips, and strategies to assist you.

Today's NYT Wordle puzzle shouldn't be difficult to solve if you're straightforward.

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for September 2, 2025 Where did Wordle come from?

Originally created by engineer Josh Wardle as a gift for his partner, Wordle rapidly spread to become an international phenomenon, with thousands of people around the globe playing every day. Alternate Wordle versions created by fans also sprang up, including battle royale Squabble, music identification game Heardle, and variations like Dordle and Quordle that make you guess multiple words at once

Wordle eventually became so popular that it was purchased by the New York Times, and TikTok creators even livestream themselves playing.

What's the best Wordle starting word?

The best Wordle starting word is the one that speaks to you. But if you prefer to be strategic in your approach, we have a few ideas to help you pick a word that might help you find the solution faster. One tip is to select a word that includes at least two different vowels, plus some common consonants like S, T, R, or N.

What happened to the Wordle archive?

The entire archive of past Wordle puzzles was originally available for anyone to enjoy whenever they felt like it, but it was later taken down, with the website's creator stating it was done at the request of the New York Times. However, the New York Times then rolled out its own Wordle Archive, available only to NYT Games subscribers.

Is Wordle getting harder?

It might feel like Wordle is getting harder, but it actually isn't any more difficult than when it first began. You can turn on Wordle's Hard Mode if you're after more of a challenge, though.

SEE ALSO: NYT Pips hints, answers for September 2, 2025 Here's a subtle hint for today's Wordle answer:

Forthright.

Does today's Wordle answer have a double letter?

There are no recurring letters.

Today's Wordle is a 5-letter word that starts with...

Today's Wordle starts with the letter B.

SEE ALSO: Wordle-obsessed? These are the best word games to play IRL. The Wordle answer today is...

Get your last guesses in now, because it's your final chance to solve today's Wordle before we reveal the solution.

Drumroll please!

The solution to today's Wordle is...

BLUNT

Don't feel down if you didn't manage to guess it this time. There will be a new Wordle 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.

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for September 2, 2025

Reporting by Chance Townsend, Caitlin Welsh, Sam Haysom, Amanda Yeo, Shannon Connellan, Cecily Mauran, Mike Pearl, and Adam Rosenberg contributed to this article.

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 today's Wordle.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Hurdle hints and answers for September 24, 2025

Mashable - Wed, 09/24/2025 - 04:00

If you like playing daily word games like Wordle, then Hurdle is a great game to add to your routine.

There are five rounds to the game. The first round sees you trying to guess the word, with correct, misplaced, and incorrect letters shown in each guess. If you guess the correct answer, it'll take you to the next hurdle, providing the answer to the last hurdle as your first guess. This can give you several clues or none, depending on the words. For the final hurdle, every correct answer from previous hurdles is shown, with correct and misplaced letters clearly shown.

An important note is that the number of times a letter is highlighted from previous guesses does necessarily indicate the number of times that letter appears in the final hurdle.

If you find yourself stuck at any step of today's Hurdle, don't worry! We have you covered.

SEE ALSO: Hurdle: Everything you need to know to find the answers Hurdle Word 1 hint

To creep around.

SEE ALSO: Apple’s new M3 MacBook Air is $300 off at Amazon. And yes, I’m tempted. Hurdle Word 1 answer

SNEAK

Hurdle Word 2 hint

A long-legged bird.

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for August 4, 2025 Hurdle Word 2 Answer

STORK

Hurdle Word 3 hint

To throw.

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for August 4 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for August 4, 2025 Hurdle Word 3 answer

CHUCK

Hurdle Word 4 hint

More accurate.

SEE ALSO: NYT Strands hints, answers for August 4 Hurdle Word 4 answer

TRUER

Final Hurdle hint

They show when one smiles.

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Games available on Mashable Hurdle Word 5 answer

TEETH

If you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Five burning questions we have for Alien: Earth Season 2

Mashable - Wed, 09/24/2025 - 03:00

This summer, FX's Alien: Earth latched onto my brain like a Facehugger latches onto a new host.

SEE ALSO: 'Alien: Earth's game-changing ending, explained

Now, with the release of the show's Season 1 finale, you'd think that Facehugger would drop off and leave me be. You'd be wrong! Instead, the Season 1 finale leaves viewers with some major questions we'll be puzzling over until the show's potential return.

Here are the five biggest questions we have for Alien: Earth Season 2.

What does a Neverland run by hybrids look like?

Season 1 of Alien: Earth ends with the group of hybrids known as the Lost Boys in total control over the Neverland research facility. They've imprisoned Boy Kavalier (Samuel Blenkin), Kirsh (Timothy Olyphant), Morrow (Babou Ceesay), Dame Sylvia (Essie Davis), and Atom Eins (Adrian Edmondson). Now, with the adults out of the way, Wendy (Sydney Chandler) declares it's time for the hybrids to "rule."

SEE ALSO: Human consciousness implanted into robots? 'Alien: Earth' suggests we're heading there.

But what will their rule entail? Will they stay on Neverland, or will they try to extend their authority to the rest of the world? Will they remain fast allies, or will they turn against one another and go full Lord of the Flies on their new island kingdom?

How will Weyland-Yutani and Alien: Earth's other corporations react to Boy Kavalier's plight? Sandra Yi Sencindiver in "Alien: Earth." Credit: Patrick Brown / FX

By the end of Alien: Earth Season 1, Weyland-Yutani is closing in on Neverland in order to take back the specimens Boy Kavalier stole. But will Yutani (Sandra Yi Sencindiver) change tack when she realizes her rival is being held captive? Will she leave the island alone or try to stage a hostile takeover? Perhaps her priorities will change entirely, shifting from trying to capture the alien specimens to trying to perfect Boy Kavalier's revolutionary hybrid tech. Either way, her looming presence does not bode well for the newly independent hybrids.

SEE ALSO: I love that 'Alien: Earth' trillionaire Boy Kavalier takes calls with his feet

Weyland-Yutani isn't the only other major corporation on the board in Alien: Earth, though. There are three other corporations we haven't truly met yet: Dynamic, Lynch, and Threshold. Could they be joining the party in Alien: Earth's future?

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What's next for the loose orchid and eyeball aliens?

While the Xenomorph may be under Wendy's control, there are still several alien threats running wild on the island. In the Season 1 finale, the orchid alien (aka D. Plumbicare) revealed that it could turn into a floating, octopus-like creature and got loose in Neverland. I would not want to be walking around the island with that out there, that's for sure.

SEE ALSO: 'Alien: Earth's eyeball scares me way more than the Xenomorph

But that's not all: Alien: Earth's breakout star, the eyeball alien T. Ocellus, found a new host in the corpse of Arthur Sylvia (David Rysdahl). We've seen T. Ocellus take over a cat corpse and a human body, but now we get to see it go full zombie mode in what might be Alien: Earth's coolest development yet. But what's T. Ocellus's plan while in Arthur's body? Will it try to find a new, stronger host in, say, a hybrid? (And what would that look like?) Will it finally have a conversation with its biggest fan, Boy Kavalier? And how in the world will Dame react when she sees her beloved husband with a massive new eyeball and a burst-open chest? Bring on the zombie shenanigans!

Will the Xenomorph continue serving Wendy, or will it rebel? Sydney Chandler in "Alien: Earth." Credit: Patrick Brown / FX

For now, Wendy and her Xenomorph seem pretty tight. But what happens if the Xenomorph goes through a rebellious teenage phase and decides it doesn't want to serve its human mother figure anymore? Could the hybrids lose their grip on Neverland if the apex predator at their disposal decides to turn on them?

Wendy's Xenomorph also isn't the only Xenomorph on the island. There's also the specimen that burst out of Arthur's chest. As it grows, will it become territorial with Wendy's Xenomorph, or will it join the hybrid-Xeno family and view Wendy as its queen? If so, what are the odds Wendy tries to build a whole Xenomorph army?

How will Alien: Earth tie back to Alien?

The question hanging over any prequel is "how will this tie back to the original?" and with Alien: Earth, that question is especially pressing, given that it takes place two years before the events of Alien. By that point, there are no mentions of hybrid technology, nor are there any mentions of them in the sequels. So what will happen to the hybrids between then and now to render them obsolete? It's a daunting question, but it's one that Alien: Earth will certainly have to contend with as it closes in on the original films.

Alien: Earth is now streaming on Hulu.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Alien: Earths game-changing ending, explained

Mashable - Wed, 09/24/2025 - 03:00

After eight episodes of terrifying new creatures, Alien homages, and existential questions about the future of humanity, Alien: Earth Season 1 has come to a close. And what a close it was.

The finale, titled "The Real Monsters," flips the power dynamic that's been in place for the entire season. By the end of the episode, the hybrid Lost Boys, led by Wendy (Sydney Chandler), have gained total control over their keepers, including Boy Kavalier (Samuel Blenkin) and Dame Sylvia (Essie Davis). This power shift has been in the cards since Alien: Earth's first episode, but how do we get here? Let's break it down.

SEE ALSO: 'Alien: Earth' continues an 'Alien' tradition with its surprise synthetic reveal Alien: Earth's hybrids finally realize how strong they are. Alex Lawther, Sydney Chandler, and Lily Newmark in "Alien: Earth." Credit: Patrick Brown / FX

From the first moment Alien: Earth introduces Wendy in her super-strong, super-fast, super-durable hybrid body, it's clear that she and her fellow Lost Boys could absolutely wreck Prodigy's Neverland security team if they wanted to. That idea doesn't cross their minds, though. Instead, the Lost Boys are still children in consciousness, and they believe Neverland to be a safe paradise for them.

However, this idea erodes over the course of Alien: Earth's first season, as the Lost Boys lose confidence in the people they've been told to trust. They're endangered and experimented on. Nibs' (Lily Newmark) traumatic memories were manipulated. Isaac (Kit Young) died while tending to the alien specimens. Morrow (Babou Ceesay) threatened to kill Slightly's (Adarsh Gourav) family. Each horrifying incident wears away at the Lost Boys' childlike innocence, turning the idyllic Neverland into a hell on Earth.

Featured Video For You 'Alien: Earth' episode 5 was its own 'Alien' movie. Here's how they made it.

Ironically, these incidents only increase the Lost Boys' feelings of powerlessness, even though they're the most powerful beings on Prodigy's remote island. But it's also in one of those scenes of powerlessness — when Prodigy forces corner Nibs, Wendy, and her brother Joe aka Hermit (Alex Lawther) on their escape boat in episode 7 — that the Lost Boys begin to realize their power. Nibs fully rips a soldier's jaw off, leaving Hermit to shoot (but not kill) her. Here, a horrified Wendy learns two things. First: Humans, including her brother, are terrified of the hybrids. Second: They have good reason to be. The hybrids are extremely dangerous. So why not embrace that?

That's the realization Wendy comes to in Alien: Earth's Season 1 finale. "All this time, we've been afraid of them," she tells the Lost Boys as they sit trapped in a Neverland cage. "But I think they should be afraid of us."

The Peter Pan allegories come to a head in the Alien: Earth Season 1 finale. Sydney Chandler and Alex Lawther in "Alien: Earth." Credit: Patrick Brown/FX

Embracing the Neverland staffers' fear of them is the final stage in the Lost Boys' loss of their childish innocence. Or, in terms of Boy Kavalier's relentless Peter Pan references, this is them finally "growing up." However, that's exactly what the Prodigy founder and the rest of Neverland don't want to happen. As Wendy puts it, "We're all in this cell because we can't be kids anymore, but they won't let us be adults."

Nibs has another suggestion for what they are, one that's especially fitting after seeing the graves of their dead human bodies. "We're all ghosts," she says.

So what do these ghosts do? They turn Neverland into a haunted house, with Wendy using her in-built connection to the facility to manipulate video feeds, elevators, and doors to terrify every last soldier and scientist. Of course, having a Xenomorph at your beck and call helps too.

SEE ALSO: 'Alien: Earth': All the 'Peter Pan' references so far

The entire episode serves as both a liberation for the Lost Boys and an identity crisis for Wendy, otherwise known by her human name, Marcy. She tells her brother, "I don't know what I am. I'm not a child. I'm not a grown-up. I'm not Marcy. I'm not Wendy. And I can't be what everyone wants me to be."

(Earlier in the season, Joe even questions whether Wendy truly holds his sister's consciousness, yet another blow to one of the pillars of Wendy's identity.)

Wendy's statement reflects the binaries in the world of Alien: Earth. Child and adult. Human and synthetic. Hybrids exist somewhere in between, blurring boundaries and creating a new kind of personhood. Wendy and the Lost Boys have spent the entire series having not just new names but entirely new identities imposed on them by exterior forces. Now, they get to make their own. Fellow hybrid Curly (Erana James) embraces her former name, Jane, as Wendy reminds each of the Lost Boys of theirs — a move the late Isaac, formerly Tootles, only enjoyed for an afternoon.

Wendy's identity crisis also explains her affinity for the Maginot aliens, whom she considers "honest." These creatures are wholly themselves, unlike liars such as Boy Kavalier. As Wendy points out, he considers himself Peter Pan, but he was never truly a boy. He was always a "mean, angry little man," just like his abusive father. Ouch. I'm not sure he'll be picking up a copy of Peter Pan any time soon after that.

"Now we rule." Sydney Chandler in "Alien: Earth." Credit: Patrick Brown / FX

"The Real Monsters" ends with Wendy and the Lost Boys holding all of the authority figures in their lives hostage in the same cage they were formerly incarcerated in, prompting Wendy's declaration that, "now, we rule." Even Kirsh (Timothy Olyphant), their Prodigy synth senior, and Morrow, their cyborg antagonist, now answer to them.

The hybrids finally taking control is undoubtedly worthy of Alien: Earth's last hard-rocking needle drop. But it's certainly not the end of the Lost Boys' story. After all, the Weyland-Yutani forces are still encroaching on the island with numerous Prodigy forces still left, hinting at more conflict ahead. Plus, the alien orchid is loose, and T. Ocellus has found a new host in the chestburst corpse of Arthur Sylvia (David Rysdahl). That's a lot of threats for these still-young hybrids to deal with. How will they be able to fight off their enemies and learn how to rule their island?

That question of what it will look like for hybrids to "rule" hints at an intriguing new literary reference point for a possible Alien: Earth Season 2. If Season 1 was the Lost Boys growing up in the style of Peter Pan, then Season 2 might just see them learning to survive on an island in the vein of Lord of the Flies. With that in mind, who's Piggy, who's Ralph, and will the Xenomorph's head somehow wind up on the end of a pointy stick?

Alien: Earth is now streaming on Hulu.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Alien: Earth continues an Alien tradition with its surprise synthetic reveal

Mashable - Wed, 09/24/2025 - 03:00

One of the most impactful moments of the original Alien is the reveal that the Nostromo's science officer Ash (Ian Holm) isn't human. Instead, he's a synthetic, or android, programmed to carry out Weyland-Yutani's alien-gathering wishes, even at the expense of the Nostromo's human crew.

SEE ALSO: 'Alien: Earth' episode 5 was its own 'Alien' movie. Here's how they made it.

The Ash reveal completely recontextualizes what we've known about him and Weyland-Yutani up to that point, opening up the world of Alien to new kinds of technology. It also kickstarts a mini franchise tradition: that of the surprise synthetic.

That surprise synthetic returns in Alien: Resurrection, the fourth film in the franchise. Partway through, Resurrection reveals that Annalee Call (Winona Ryder), engineering assistant on the Betty, is actually an Auton, a second-generation synthetic. Now, FX's Alien: Earth gets in on the fun, revealing a surprise synthetic of its own in its Season 1 finale.

Who is the surprise synthetic in Alien: Earth? Adrian Edmondson in "Alien: Earth." Credit: Kurt Iswarienko / FX

The surprise synthetic in Alien: Earth is none other than Atom Eins (Adrian Edmondson), Boy Kavalier's (Samuel Blenkin) right-hand man.

The truth comes out in the finale showdown between Atom, hybrid Wendy (Sydney Chandler), and her brother Hermit (Alex Lawther). Atom ditches his buttoned-up corporate persona — literally, as he shrugs off his suit jacket — and takes on the role of enforcer. He battles Wendy and Hermit with superhuman strength, only halting his attack when Wendy commands him to stop, which freezes him in place.

Turns out, Atom's mechanical. Being mechanical, he's connected to Neverland's grid, just like the security cameras and doors that Wendy has been controlling all season long. That means she can manipulate him just as he can manipulate other parts of Neverland tech.

SEE ALSO: 'Alien: Earth' review: Xenomorphs get upstaged in this sci-fi treat

But Atom isn't just any Prodigy synthetic. Instead, Alien: Earth's finale reveals, he's the first synth that Boy Kavalier ever built.

Earlier in the episode, Boy Kavalier lays out his tragic backstory. He had an abusive father who, jealous of his boy genius son, threatened to kill him. So at six years old, Boy Kavalier built his first-ever synthetic — a "distinguished" grown man — and used him to kill his father.

As Boy Kavalier tells this story, Alien: Earth cuts to a scene of Atom awaiting Hermit in his room, ready to unleash T. Ocellus on him. The implication is clear: Atom, himself a "distinguished" man, is the first synth Boy Kavalier ever built. And just like how he killed his own father, Boy Kavalier's still using Atom to do his dirty work.

How did Alien: Earth hint at Atom being a synthetic? Adrian Edmondson in "Alien: Earth." Credit: Patrick Brown / FX

Even before Alien: Earth revealed that Atom was synthetic, the series hinted at it a few times. In episode 4, while he and Boy Kavalier are observing the T. Ocellus-infested sheep, Boy Kavalier tosses a ball against the lab's glass enclosure. Atom catches it with superhuman reflexes, similarly to how Wendy caught a ball Boy Kavalier hurled at her all the way back in episode 1.

Episode 4 also features a key visual clue, lining Atom's face up next to three synthetic faces hanging on a lab wall. The brief moment positions Atom as being linked to these disparate synth parts, suggesting that he, too, was once disparate parts hanging in a lab. By the finale's end, the linear imagery takes on a new meaning, as the episode confirms that Atom was the first in a long line of Prodigy synthetics.

Alien: Earth is now streaming on Hulu.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Will there be an Alien: Earth Season 2? Heres what we know.

Mashable - Wed, 09/24/2025 - 02:50

FX's Alien: Earth quickly became one of the most obsession-worthy shows of the summer

Over the course of eight episodes, Noah Hawley's Alien prequel series gifted viewers with bold new tech, a host of terrifying creatures, and a downright nausea-inducing mini Alien movie. With the show's Season 1 finale looming, can fans expect more Alien: Earth in a Season 2?

SEE ALSO: 'Alien: Earth' episode 5 was its own 'Alien' movie. Here's how they made it. Will there be an Alien: Earth Season 2?

FX has yet to confirm whether Alien: Earth has been renewed for a second season. However, Hawley and FX Chairman John Landgraf have each previously expressed their desire to continue the show.

In 2024, Landgraf told Variety, "We’re pretty bullish on Alien: Earth and we’ve told [Hawley] that assuming, as we hope, Alien: Earth is a returning television series, we want him to focus on on at least writing two seasons of it before returning to a possible sixth season of Fargo."

SEE ALSO: Did 'Alien: Earth' episode 5 freak you out? Us too.

Meanwhile, in a 2025 interview with Variety, Hawley mentioned his hopes for further seasons. "Season 1 is the proof of concept," Hawley said. "And if it works commercially, then Season 2 is about building a model upon which we can envision making a Season 3, 4, 5."

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Hawley is also already thinking about the wait time between seasons, telling Evolution of Horror that he has "a destination in mind, story-wise" and that his main question going forward is, "How streamlined can we make the process so that you're not waiting for three or four or five years for more?"

When would Alien: Earth Season 2 air?

If Alien: Earth does get renewed for a Season 2, when would it air? Obviously, there are no guarantees, but we can make an educated guess based on the turnaround time on Season 1.

Alien: Earth entered production in July of 2023, although it began filming without its American SAG-AFTRA members due to the Hollywood strikes. (British cast members were able to film as they were not part of SAG-AFTRA.) Production paused later due to the strike, before resuming in April of 2024 and then wrapping in July of 2024. The show premiered in Aug. of 2025, making for a two-year turnaround. However, production on an Alien: Earth Season 2 would not have to contend with the SAG-AFTRA strike, meaning it could take less time for Wendy (Sydney Chandler) and her Xenomorph to grace our screens again.

Alien: Earth is now streaming on Hulu, with new episodes premiering Tuesdays at 8 p.m. ET on Hulu and FX.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Disney+ and Hulu Are Increasing Their Prices

How-To Geek - Wed, 09/24/2025 - 02:39

Streaming services increasing their prices is nothing new. It's quite common, actually. Now, all Disney-owned streaming services are seeing a price hike, and it's awful.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Up your game with the 75-inch TCL QM6K QLED TV while its on sale for the lowest price ever at Amazon

Mashable - Wed, 09/24/2025 - 01:00

SAVE $550: The 75-inch TCL QM6K QLED TV is on sale at Amazon for $749.99, down from the list price of $1,299.99 at TCL. That's a 42% discount that matches the lowest we've seen at Amazon.

Opens in a new window Credit: TCL 75-inch TCL QM6K QLED TV $749.99 at Amazon
$1,299.99 Save $550 Get Deal

We're in a magical time for sports fans. Football season has begun, baseball season is still going strong, and we have several more weeks of soccer season. All of that spells the need for a great TV that can keep up with the action. If your current TV is falling flat on its job, check out this deal from Amazon.

As of Sept. 23, the 75-inch TCL QM6K QLED TV is on sale at Amazon for $749.99, down from the list price of $1,299.99 at TCL. That's a 42% discount that matches the lowest we've seen at Amazon.

With an ample 75-inch screen and a native refresh rate of 144Hz, the TCL QM6K is great for watching sports, tuning into new fall shows, and gaming. PC Mag, Mashable's sister site which is also owned by publisher Ziff Davis, gave the TCL QM6K an "excellent" rating in their review. The review summarized the TV by concluding, "The TCL QM6K is a very good value and a strong performer for the price. While it isn’t the brightest TV available, its mini-LED backlight enables deep black levels for excellent contrast, its colors are wide and accurate, and it's packed with features for streaming and gaming."

SEE ALSO: Score a $1,000 discount on the 85-inch Hisense Class U8 Mini-LED TV right now at Amazon

Thanks to today's sale price that takes 42% off, the value is even more significant. The TCL is also made with an ultra-slim design which gives it a modern look, especially if you'll be mounting it to the wall.

While it's sitting at the lowest price on record at Amazon, upgrade to the 75-inch TCL QM6K QLED TV for under $750. Your winter streaming and gaming sessions will be that much more enjoyable.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Sharpen your memory with this heavily discounted brain trainer

Mashable - Wed, 09/24/2025 - 00:30

TL;DR: The memoryOS app trains your brain’s recall with gamified lessons and proven methods — get five years of recall-boosting tools for $249.99 (reg. $749.95).

Opens in a new window Credit: memoryOS memoryOS Expert Plan (5-Year Subscription) $249.99
$749.95 Save $499.96 Get Deal

If your memory isn’t quite as sharp as you’d like — and blueberries, crosswords, or sticky notes aren’t cutting it — there’s a smarter way to get an upgrade. Meet memoryOS, the app designed to train your brain and make quick recall second nature. And right now, you can lock in five years of access for just $249.99 (reg. $749.95).

You can think of memoryOS like a gym for your brain. Instead of lifting weights, you’re building neural pathways through bite-sized gamified lessons, scientifically proven techniques, and the legendary Mind Palace method (a memory hack used since ancient Greece).

SEE ALSO: Score Microsoft Office for Windows as a lifetime license for under $50

In fact, over 100,000 users have already trained with memoryOS and reported an average 70 percent boost in memory recall. Whether you want to remember client names, ace an exam, give a killer presentation without notes, or simply cut down on “where did I put my keys?” moments, this app delivers.

How memoryOS stands out:

  • Mnemonics and Spaced Repetition: Tried-and-true methods digitized for everyday learning.

  • Virtual Mind Palaces: Build mental storage spaces for info that sticks.

  • World Champion Guidance: Learn directly from memory experts and pros.

  • Engaging and Fun: Gamified micro-lessons keep training short and motivating.

  • Cross-Use: Perfect for professionals, students, kids, or anyone who hates forgetting.

Think of it as investing in your brain’s long-term performance. With years of unlimited training, memoryOS gives you the tools to unlock sharper recall, better focus, and a serious edge in both work and life.

Get five years of the memoryOS Expert Plan for just $249.99 (reg. $749.95).

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Categories: IT General, Technology

GoPro has a new AI-tracking gimbal that works with smartphones and action cameras

Mashable - Wed, 09/24/2025 - 00:03

It's been a big month for action camera companies. Insta360 announced a tiny new action camera at the end of August. DJI just announced its competitor to that camera today. And now GoPro has responded with not just one, but two new action camera announcements.

However, GoPro had more to announce than just an action camera. The company also introduced a brand new device to its product lineup, an AI tracking gimbal called the Fluid Pro AI.

Launching in stores on October 21, the Fluid Pro AI will use AI technology in order to lock on to a subject's face or body to automatically track the individual to make sure they are always in frame. 

The 3-axis gimbal can be utilized by the user to track both forward or rear-facing subjects, meaning the gimbal can be used for selfie videos as well. The Fluid Pro AI can also pan and rotate a full 360 degrees as well as tilt upward up to 320 degrees. There's also an integrated fill light built into the device.

However, what's most interesting here is that GoPro has decided to make its handheld camera stabilizer accessible to those who don't even have a GoPro. While GoPro owners can use their action camera with the Fluid Pro AI, it also works with most any device up to 400 grams. This includes smartphones like the iPhone and point-and-shoot cameras. This means that the Fluid Pro AI can be used with popular vlogger cameras like the Sony ZV-1. That sets it apart from similar gimbals from DJI or Insta360, which are made primarily for phones.

According to GoPro, the Fluid Pro AI can be used for up to 18 hours of runtime and can also be used as an external power bank for the device that it's holding. 

The Fluid Pro AI will be available next month for $229.99. While this price point makes it more expensive than most competitors, it's also packed with a lot more features, has a much longer battery life, and can be used with multiple camera types. And, of course, the precision of its AI tracking technology will be a major factor in deciding if it's worthy of the higher price.



Categories: IT General, Technology

The DeLonghi Magnifica Start espresso machine is on sale for a record-low price at Amazon

Mashable - Wed, 09/24/2025 - 00:00

SAVE $300: The De'Longhi Magnifica Start espresso machine (silver) is on sale at Amazon for $499.95, down from the list price of $799.95. That's a 38% discount, matching the record-low at Amazon.

Opens in a new window Credit: De'Longhi De'Longhi Magnifica Start espresso machine (silver) $499.95 at Amazon
$799.95 Save $300.00 Get Deal

We have about one month left before the clocks roll back one hour. An extra hour of sleep is always welcomed, but that means soon we'll be waking up when it's dark outside. If that causes you to hit snooze, you need a solid reason to get up (on time) in the morning. Thankfully, Amazon has given us that reason.

As of Sept. 23, the De'Longhi Magnifica Start espresso machine (silver) is on sale for $499.95 at Amazon, marked down from the normal price of $799.95. That works out to a savings of $300 from a 38% discount, matching the record-low at Amazon.

De'Longhi makes some of the best and most intuitive espresso machines that are great for both beginners and those who are super picky about their coffee. The Magnifica Start automatic espresso machine asks users for just one touch and then it'll take off on the espresso-shot pulling task. With one touch, the Magnifica can make a latte macchiato, cappuccino, espresso, coffee, or dispense hot water.

SEE ALSO: The coolest kitchen gear and gadgets we'll always recommend

The Magnifica can grind whole beans with the built-in grinder or use pre-ground coffee setting. The LatteCrema system foams both milk and milk alternatives into silky microfoam for the perfect coffeehouse treat. The milk carafe easily detaches for storage in the fridge between uses.

Before we sink into the darkness of winter mornings, upgrade your wake-up routine to include the De'Longhi Magnifica Start. It's on sale at Amazon for $300 off which matches the best price we've ever seen. You'll be thankful for its convenience every single morning after it arrives in your doorstep.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Learn piano at your own pace with a lifetime subscription to Skoove

Mashable - Wed, 09/24/2025 - 00:00

TL;DR: Learn piano at your own pace with Skoove, now $109.97 (reg. $299.99). It gives you access to 400+ interactive lessons that use real songs, offer real-time feedback, and work across devices. 

Opens in a new window Credit: Skoove Skoove Premium Piano Lessons: Lifetime Subscription $109.97
$299.99 Save $190.02 Get Deal

Picking up a new instrument doesn’t have to mean committing to expensive weekly lessons or awkward video calls. If piano’s been on your bucket list—or you’ve been meaning to brush up on your skills — this could be the right time to start.

Skoove, an online piano learning platform, is offering a lifetime Premium subscription for $109.97. That’s 63% off the usual $299.99 price, and it gets you unlimited access to more than 400 interactive lessons designed for beginners through advanced players.

SEE ALSO: Master the conversations that matter in 14 languages with Babbel

Skoove’s lessons are built around real songs (think: The Beatles, Adele, Bach) and focus on building technique, rhythm, and improvisation in a gradual, learn-by-doing format. The platform gives real-time feedback as you play — whether you’re using a digital keyboard, acoustic piano, or even your laptop’s mic to pick up the sound.

Because it’s self-paced and available across devices, it’s easier to stick with than traditional lessons. You can pick it up during a lunch break, squeeze in a session after work or class, or run through a few warmups on your iPad before bed.

Also included in the Premium tier: sheet music for hundreds of songs, one-on-one support from music instructors if you get stuck, and new lessons added regularly. There’s no subscription to keep track of and no renewal reminders — once you pay, it’s yours to use forever.

To be clear, this isn’t a professional conservatory replacement. But if you’re looking for a flexible way to learn or re-learn piano basics, it offers serious value—especially at this price point.

Normally $299.99, the lifetime Skoove Premium plan is on sale for $109.97 for a limited time. No monthly fees, no recurring costs, and you get to learn at your own pace — without getting side-eyed by a piano teacher for not practicing enough.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Google expands Help me photo editing tech to more Android phones

Mashable - Tue, 09/23/2025 - 23:57

Google announced Tuesday that all Android users can now use Gemini AI for "conversational photo editing" — a perk that was previously exclusive to the Pixel 10, which launched in August.

The tool is straightforward: open the editor, hit “Help me edit,” and describe what you want Gemini to do. It can handle the basics — lighting tweaks, object removal, restoring old shots — or, if you’re feeling bold, it can whip up more whimsical, fantastical edits (like, say, adding a pod of dolphins to your photo). Don’t like the first attempt? Just reply with “make it better” (or something close) and Gemini will take another pass.

While Google's announcement doesn't say exactly how Gemini edits your photos (a Google blog post credits only "advanced Gemini capabilities"), this looks to us like the work of Nano Banana, Google’s other viral hit.

Left: Conversational photo editing in action. Credit: Google Right: Credit: Google SEE ALSO: How to try Nano Banana, Google’s hot new AI image editor

Nano Banana, aka Gemini 2.5 Flash Image, is an advanced AI image model that just so happens to excel at image editing. Ever since Nano Banana rolled out, Gemini has been dominating app store charts.

Conversational Photo Editing is just one of the many AI tricks Google is baking into its phones. For instance, the company recently showed off its new Camera Coach feature during the Made by Google event — roping in Call Her Daddy host Alex Cooper and none other than Jimmy Fallon as guinea pigs. Camera Coach walks you step by step through snapping the perfect shot — then lets Gemini swoop in afterward for the edits. (Camera Coach is still a Pixel 10 exclusive, however.)

For now, the conversational editing tool is only available in English and limited to U.S. users 18 and up. If you're on an Android device, you can start using it right away. Simply go to edit a photo on your device and look for the "Help me edit" option.

Categories: IT General, Technology

It: Welcome to Derry trailer is full of Pennywise scares and Stephen King Easter eggs

Mashable - Tue, 09/23/2025 - 23:49

If you thought you'd seen the last of It's creepy clown Pennywise (Bill Skarsgård), you were sorely mistaken. Sorry to burst your floating red balloon, but the iconic horror figure is back to haunt our screens in HBO's upcoming horror series It: Welcome to Derry.

SEE ALSO: Fall TV preview: 25 TV shows you need to know, and where to stream them

Developed by Andy Muschietti and Barbara Muschietti (It, It: Chapter Two) and inspired by the Mike Hanlon interludes in Stephen King's novel, It: Welcome to Derry transports viewers to Derry, Maine, in 1962. The show's trailer introduces newcomers to town, the young couple Leroy and Charlotte Hanlon (Jovan Adepo and Taylour Paige). It fans will recognize Leroy as Mike's grandfather.

While the Hanlons are hoping for some normalcy after living on an Army base for eight years, they instead encounter ugly racism at the hands of their fellow Derry citizens, something the It: Welcome to Derry trailer hints at in chilling fashion.

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That isn't the only horror they'll face, though. The evil entity we know as Pennywise is about to make his return, guaranteeing town-wide terror and children's disappearances.

It: Welcome to Derry's trailer hints at the horrors we can expect from Pennywise in the show, including some seriously bloody visions. But the trailer also features some major King Easter eggs, including a reference to the Shawshank State Prison. The series also stars Chris Chalk as Dick Hallorann, who appears in King's It but is more well-known for his key roles in The Shining and Doctor Sleep.

What other King works will It: Welcome to Derry pull from, and more importantly, will I be able to sleep after watching Pennywise's return?

It: Welcome to Derry also stars James Remar, Stephen Rider, Madeleine Stowe, and Rudy Mancuso.

It: Welcome to Derry premieres Oct. 26 at 9 p.m. ET on HBO and HBO Max.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Jackery’s Explorer 240D Is a Compact Power Station Perfect for Adventures

How-To Geek - Tue, 09/23/2025 - 23:38

Jackery just launched another portable power station for those looking for on-the-go power, only this one is more of a large power bank in an ultra-compact form factor. The all-new Jackery Explorer 240D is a 200W (256Wh) designed to go wherever life takes you.

Categories: IT General, Technology

The Lowdown review: Sterlin Harjo and Ethan Hawke team up for a killer noir caper

Mashable - Tue, 09/23/2025 - 23:32

When Ethan Hawke made a surprise guest appearance in the penultimate episode of Reservation Dogs, it wound up being one of my favorite TV episodes of all time.

SEE ALSO: Fall TV preview: 25 TV shows you need to know, and where to stream them

Co-written by Reservation Dogs co-creator Sterlin Harjo and star Devery Jacobs, "Elora's Dad" saw Elora Danan (Jacobs) meet her estranged father (Hawke) for the very first time. He introduces her to her half-siblings, and she catches him up on her life, including her plans to go to college. The episode proved intimate and quietly electrifying, one of the best entries in one of the best shows of recent years. And at its heart were two beautifully grounded performances from Jacobs and Hawke.

So imagine my delight when Harjo and Hawke teamed back up for Harjo's new FX series, The Lowdown. Then imagine my downright joy when The Lowdown turned out to be some of the most fun I've had watching TV this year.

What's The Lowdown about? Kyle MacLachlan and Ethan Hawke in "The Lowdown." Credit: Shane Brown / FX

Described as a "Tulsa noir," The Lowdown stars Hawke as Lee Raybon, a rare bookstore owner, citizen journalist, and so-called "truthstorian" determined to lay bare the rot at the heart of Tulsa's most corrupt power players. (Lee is based on the late journalist and public historian Lee Roy Chapman, whom Harjo worked with previously.)

Among Lee's targets is the Washberg family, headed up by slimy gubernatorial candidate Donald (Kyle MacLachlan). Lee uncovers the family's connections to white supremacists in a major exposé, and just days after its publication, Washberg family black sheep Dale (Tim Blake Nelson) dies under mysterious circumstances. For Lee, that can only mean one thing: He's onto something major. So off he goes into Tulsa's criminal underbelly, a journey that could lead to a major bombshell (or more likely, to severe bodily harm).

SEE ALSO: TIFF 2025 preview: 20 films you'll want to see for yourself (and how) The Lowdown is part neo-noir, part hangout comedy, and all delightful. Ethan Hawke and Ryan Kiera Armstrong in "The Lowdown." Credit: Shane Brown / FX

Lee's investigation prompts Harjo to have some neo-noir fun, drawing inspiration from '70s films like The Long Goodbye and Night Moves. Smoke-veiled conversations abound, along with clandestine meetings with Dale's wife, Betty Joe (Jeanne Tripplehorn), and PI Marty (Keith David).

The Lowdown's madcap mystery provides a change of pace from Reservation Dogs, as does its city setting. Here, danger lurks around every corner, often in the form of skinheads who are angry at Lee for... publicly writing that they're skinheads.

Yet even with its moody noir atmosphere, The Lowdown also preserves the hangout feel that made Reservation Dogs so special, especially in scenes Lee shares with his daughter, Francis (Ryan Keira Armstrong). Francis spends most of her time with her mother, Samantha (Reservation Dogs' own Deer Lady, Kaniehtiio Horn), but when she shows interest in helping Lee with the Washberg case, who is he to say no?

SEE ALSO: 'The Paper' review: How does 'The Office' spinoff measure up?

Lee and Francis' sweet dynamic bears shades of that of Elora and her father's: tentative bonding attempts, even as Francis wonders whether Lee is a full-on deadbeat. However, it's also a perfect showcase for The Lowdown's ability to blend its noir mystery with character-driven hangouts. Case in point: A father-daughter trip to a lake that doubles as a mission to find key evidence.

In a similar vein, The Lowdown somehow manages to capture the wide range of human emotion, all within its mystery framework. In Lee's nightcap with a potential suspect, what starts as a drunken hook-up morphs from an investigation to a fight to a soul-baring discussion... then back to a hook-up. Elsewhere, Lee's reunion with frenemy Randall (Peter Dinklage) kicks off an investigation and a soul-searching tribute to an old friend.

So as much as The Lowdown is driven by the central mystery of Dale's death and his family's shady dealings, it's also fueled by the poetry of who we cross paths with. Like in Reservation Dogs, The Lowdown builds out a community of fascinating characters who add oodles of texture to the show's version of Tulsa, from antique dealer Ray (Michael Hitchcock) to The Tulsa Beat editor Cyrus (Killer Mike).

Ethan Hawke is a hilarious wild card in The Lowdown. Ethan Hawke in "The Lowdown." Credit: Shane Brown / FX

At the center of these characters is, of course, Lee. And my goodness, is Hawke having the time of his life in the role.

Hawke plays his amateur sleuth like a total wild card. In some moments, Lee is effortlessly cool, rolling into investigations like suave is his middle name. In others, he's almost pathetic, running for his life after getting himself in too deep. Hawke's maniacal laughter after Lee's escapes or major discoveries is a forever reminder of what I love about the show: its ability to make me laugh my head off, even after watching a man get his head shot clean off.

Of course, between Lee's extremes lies a wealth of complexities that The Lowdown takes great pleasure in unspooling. He loves writing so much that he'll critique the prose in a murdered man's diaries. He adores Francis more than anything but occasionally puts his investigation before her. He's got an ironic Confederate flag tattoo.

All these details add up to create a fascinatingly layered new TV detective, one whose adventures we've only just begun to explore. Here's hoping that viewers can follow in Lee's footsteps and dive further still into the truths at the heart of Lee himself, and of his beloved community in Tulsa.

The Lowdown was reviewed out of its world premiere at the 2025 Toronto International Film Festival. It premieres Sept. 23 at 9 p.m. ET on FX. Episodes stream the next day on Hulu.

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