Mashable

On Sunday afternoon, the biggest star at a FIFA soccer event wasn't a professional footballer.

Hours before kickoff at Wollman Rink in Central Park, New York, kids gathered outside the gates hoping for a glimpse of IShowSpeed. Some carried soccer balls and Sharpies in case they got lucky. Others settled for watching through the fence as YouTube and FIFA's inaugural Creator Cup got underway on a temporary pitch built atop the rink, while thousands more watched the action unfold live on YouTube.

Over the next 90 minutes, the crowd watched some of the internet's biggest personalities swap livestreams for soccer cleats under the blazing afternoon sun. Speed captained one side to victory in his No. 7 jersey — a nod to his idol, Cristiano Ronaldo — while soccer creator Céline Dept led the other in her custom "Celnado" kit.

Brazil's Allan Stag dazzled with quick footwork, while B Lou and Zias stayed alert between the goalposts. Marlon, JasonTheWeen, Zhong, Coringa, and other creators rounded out an international roster that looked more like the YouTube homepage than a traditional football lineup. But this was still a FIFA event: Pierluigi Collina, the organization's chief refereeing officer, officiated the match.

Céline Dept, Pierluigi Collina, and IShowSpeed on the pitch at the YouTube FIFA Creator Cup. Credit: Kevin Mazur / Getty Images

As FIFA works to reach a new generation of fans, creators are increasingly becoming a gateway to the sport. Initiatives like the Creator Cup recognize that some of football's biggest ambassadors now build their audiences on YouTube. Collectively, the creators invited to play in the tournament reach more than 350 million subscribers on the platform.

That strategy has been years in the making. During the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, YouTube worked with creators on the ground and saw how they could bring fans closer to the tournament outside of the matches themselves. Four years later, that collaboration has expanded well beyond creator coverage. This World Cup, YouTube partnered with FIFA to expand how fans experience the tournament, from livestreams and creator activations to taking over the southeast corner of Central Park for an all-star creator match-up.

The audience has followed. According to YouTube, World Cup videos from the creators it partnered with generated more than 1 billion views in the 2026 tournament's first two weeks, with personalities like IShowSpeed drawing tens of millions of viewers to their own livestreamed coverage.

Rather than replacing traditional broadcasts, Angela Courtin, YouTube's global head of brand marketing, said that creators offer fans a different way into the sport — one built around personality, community, and the online conversations that happen long before and after kickoff.

"The broadcasters play an amazing role in bringing the game [to the people]," Courtin told Mashable. "Creators just bring a different flavor. They're chatting with their fans every day. This game around the game that we've had on YouTube for the last 10 years, from clips and highlights to creators and fans, is really what we've been leaning into. We want to bring fans pitchside."

Among the creators who took to the turf was fashion creator Wisdom Kaye, who played forward for Céline Dept's team. He said brands and organizations are now realizing that creators understand how to capture attention in ways traditional marketing often can't.

"Creators understand a certain recipe that garners engagement, that garners attention, that garners an audience," Kaye told Mashable. "Companies spend millions of dollars every year trying to figure that out, but you have people with their phones who did it in a few months. There are certain things you can't replicate if you're a big business."

That attention has real monetary value. According to an analysis cited by Business Insider, influencer-led World Cup campaigns generated an estimated $4 billion in earned social media value.

Wisdom Kaye is ready to strike at the YouTube FIFA Creator Cup. Credit: Kevin Mazur / Getty Images

It's the kind of reach organizations like FIFA are trying to harness. Romy Gai, FIFA's chief business officer, described the partnership with YouTube as a new approach to World Cup coverage, designed to work alongside traditional broadcasters while reaching fans wherever they already consume the sport. As part of that effort, participating broadcasters could stream the first 10 minutes of each match on YouTube.

Creators understand a certain recipe that garners engagement, that garners attention, that garners an audience. - Wisdom Kaye

"This is a novel approach that we've built together with our existing broadcasters," Gai told Mashable, describing it as a three-way collaboration between FIFA, broadcasters, and YouTube. "Understanding the need to onboard the younger generation, we found the best way to deliver the right content to the right audience at the right moment."

The way Kaye sees it, that's only possible when organizations trust creators to speak to audiences in their own voice: "You need to work with people who are human and who really understand these things."

For a creator like IShowSpeed, who has over 57 million YouTube subscribers, the event demonstrated how far the industry has come.

"This is crazy," he told Mashable before the match. "It just shows that the creator industry is evolving and bigger brands are starting to realize that. That's why we're here now. We've got a FIFA YouTube Creator Cup match, and I'm glad to be a part of that."

Zhong, a YouTuber who writes sketches for his 76 million subscribers, echoed that sentiment, saying opportunities like the Creator Cup would have been hard to imagine just a few years ago. "I'm really excited about where the creator space is heading," he said.

Streamer Marlon pointed to changing media habits among younger audiences, arguing that platforms such as YouTube and TikTok have become where many fans spend their time, making creator partnerships feel like a natural evolution. "I definitely think that's the place to put stuff now instead of [traditional] TV," he said.

Séan Garnier and IShowSpeed go head to head at the YouTube FIFA Creator Cup. Credit: Kevin Mazur / Getty Images

For creators from outside the U.S., the event also carried a different significance. Brazilian creator Allan Stag called representing his country's creator community in New York's Central Park "next level."

"Getting to represent the Brazilian creator industry, especially in Central Park — it's crazy that they closed it out," he said.

His friend and rival on the pitch, Victor Augusto, who goes by Coringa, shared a similar thought. "Not only for the creator economy, but also for us as Brazilians, it's crazy to be here in New York representing Brazilian creators," he said.

JasonTheWeen, known for his IRL streams, pointed to the World Cup itself as another reason the event resonated. "Soccer is growing in the States, especially with the World Cup going on," he said. "To be able to participate in something like this is just epic."

For Gai, creators like Speed are more than influencers promoting the sport — they're helping shape how a new generation experiences it.

"His passion is genuine. His vision is so unique that he's adding a little bit of magic on top of our normal magic," Gai said. "It's a win-win combination."

As the match wound down, the crowd outside Wollman Rink hadn't thinned. If anything, it had grown. Teens packed the pathways while kids, and plenty of curious parents, climbed the hill overlooking the rink.

Gai believes that's ultimately what makes football unique. "Everybody should feel that football belongs to you." For a growing number of fans, creators are making that invitation feel personal.

TL;DR: Get a lifetime Curiosity Stream subscription for $127.50 with code STREAM15 and stream thousands of documentaries on science, history, technology, nature, and more.

Opens in a new window Credit: Curiosity Stream Curiosity Stream Standard Plan: Lifetime Subscription $127.50
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Created by Discovery Communications founder John Hendricks, Curiosity Stream has become one of the best-known destinations for documentary lovers. Whether you’re brushing up on the history behind your next travel destination, learning how the latest engineering breakthroughs work, or falling down a rabbit hole about ancient civilizations or space exploration, there’s always something new to explore. The catalog includes series such as Engineering the Future, Deep Time History, Planet of Treasures, and Out of the Cradle, with new documentaries added regularly.

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Have you ever wondered how much important data lives on your device? From family photos to priceless moments captured on video and important files we need to keep, some things in our digital footprints are irreplaceable. BigMind Data Recovery gives you a reliable way to secure your system, apps, settings, and files.

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SAVE $300: As of July 13, the Google Pixel 10 Pro is on sale for $699 at Amazon. That's a 30% discount on the list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Google Google Pixel 10 Pro $699
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A new deal on the Google Pixel 10 Pro just dropped at Amazon. If you're looking for a new smartphone to buy outright, this is a truly great deal.

As of July 13, the Google Pixel 10 Pro is $300 off, bringing the price down to $699 for the 128GB, obsidian colored device. According to price tracker camelcamelcamel, this is a "good deal", and only $15 off its best-ever price.

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The Google Pixel 10 Pro is a really advanced smartphone, built with lots of AI features. It has a 6.3-inch Super Actua display with clear visuals with up to 3,300 nits peak brightness, making it easy to view even in direct sunlight. It has a durable design, and is powered by the Google Tensor G5 chip, so it's robust both on the inside and out. It's unlocked too, so you can use it with any provider.

If a good phone camera is important to you, you'll love this phone. The camera system is designed to capture incredible detail in any lighting. Plus, features like 100x Pro Res Zoom, 50MP images, and super steady 8K video make it easier to capture everything in great quality.

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SAVE $600: As of July 13, the Aiper Scuba V3 is on sale for $799.99 at Amazon. That's a 43% discount on the list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Aiper Aiper Scuba V3 $799.99 at Amazon
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Summer means finally being able to enjoy your outdoor space, and if you have a pool, warmer weather is the perfect time to dive in and cool off. But of course, pools come with lots of work and maintenance, and it's important to stay on top of it.

If you’d rather spend your summer swimming than scrubbing, a robot pool cleaner is a great way to make maintenance easier. And as of July 13, there's a great deal on the Aiper Scuba V3 at Amazon. It's currently $600 off, bringing it down to its best-ever price.

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This robotic pool cleaner uses AI to make pool maintenance easy. It has features like a front-facing camera that detects more than 20 types of debris and helps it to navigate directly towards dirt. It's also designed to clean up to 10 times faster than traditional methods, so you've got more time to spend in the water.

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The Blooms by Play-Doh lineup: Play-Doh Blooms Rosy Petite Bouquet Kit $24.99 Shop Now Play-Doh Blooms Wildflower Petite Bouquet Kit $24.99 Shop Now Play-Doh Blooms Meadow Flower Bouquet Kit $39.99 Shop Now Play-Doh Blooms Garden Bouquet Kit $39.99 Shop Now

If your last memory of Play-Doh involves making lopsided snakes in kindergarten, this is the version your adult self has been waiting for. The iconic toy is getting a surprisingly sophisticated makeover with Blooms by Play-Doh, a new line of adult craft kits designed to turn colorful dough into display-worthy floral arrangements.

The collection starts at $24.99 and is available now at Amazon, Walmart, and Target.

Play-Doh Blooms Rosy Petite Bouquet Kit Opens in a new window Credit: Play-Doh Play-Doh Blooms Rosy Petite Bouquet Kit $24.99 at Amazon
  Shop Now Why we like it

The Blooms by Play-Doh Rosy Petite Bouquet Kit keeps things simple without feeling too basic. The kit comes with everything you need to build a small bouquet, including Play-Doh compound, shaping tools, a clear display vase, finishing spray, and a step-by-step guide with photos, making it easy to jump in even if you've never tried crafting flowers before.

You'll create eight blooms using a rolling technique that forms two different flower styles, then seal everything with the included finishing spray to help the finished bouquet hold its shape over time. The floral-scented Play-Doh adds a nice touch, while the finished arrangement is designed to sit on a desk, shelf, or table as a handmade decoration instead of ending up back in the craft drawer.

Play-Doh Blooms Wildflower Petite Bouquet Kit Opens in a new window Credit: Play-Doh Play-Doh Blooms Wildflower Petite Bouquet Kit $24.99 at Amazon
  Shop Now Why we like it

The Play-Doh Blooms Wildflower Petite Bouquet Kit is also a great starting point if you're curious about the new collection but don't want to jump straight into a larger bouquet. The kit comes with everything you need to create 12 colorful wildflowers, including floral-scented Play-Doh, shaping tools, a clear display vase, and a detailed step-by-step guide that makes the process simple.

Once your bouquet is finished, a light coat of the finishing spray helps preserve the flowers so they're ready to display. There's also plenty of room to get creative along the way, making each arrangement feel a little different from the last.

Play-Doh Blooms Meadow Flower Bouquet Kit Opens in a new window Credit: Play-Doh Play-Doh Blooms Meadow Flower Bouquet Kit $39.99 at Amazon
  Shop Now Why we like it

The Play-Doh Blooms Meadow Flower Bouquet Kit is designed to make crafting feel relaxing instead of intimidating. Everything you need comes in the box — from flower molds and shaping tools to stems, a vase, and finishing spray — so you can jump right in without buying extra supplies.

One of the coolest parts is watching the flowers take shape. You simply load the colorful Play-Doh into the blooming tools, press down, and watch detailed petals emerge to create your own bouquet. Once your bouquet is finished, let the flowers dry, give them a light coat of the finishing spray to help preserve them, then arrange everything in the clear vase for a display piece that can stick around long after craft night is over.

Play-Doh Blooms Garden Bouquet Kit Opens in a new window Credit: Play-Doh Play-Doh Blooms Garden Bouquet Kit $39.99 at Amazon
  Shop Now Why we like it

If you're looking for the most display-worthy kit in the lineup, the Blooms by Play-Doh Garden Bouquet Kit is a great choice. It lets you build a full bouquet of 20 flowers in different shapes and sizes, with soft pinks, whites, and yellows giving the finished arrangement a fresh, spring-inspired look.

What makes this kit fun is that it feels more like arranging flowers than playing with modeling dough. The included tools help shape realistic petals, while the smaller blooms and greenery let you personalize the bouquet rather than just follow a template. Once your flowers have dried, a quick spray helps them hold their shape so they can stay on display as a colorful handmade centerpiece.

SAVE $15: As of July 13, the Fire TV Stick HD is on sale for $19.99 at Amazon. That's a 43% discount on the list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon Fire TV Stick HD $19.99 at Amazon
$34.99 Save $15.00   Get Deal

The newest Fire TV Stick HD is back on sale at Amazon, and right now you can save $15.

This edition recently got some upgrades, with new features like improved support from Alexa+ and faster app launches. As of July 13, you can take it home for just $19.99.

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With this streaming device you'll have access to thousands of apps, including streaming favorites like Prime Video, Netflix, Disney+, Apple TV, and lots more. It doesn't take up loads of space, coming in a slim, lightweight design that plugs directly into your TV's HDMI port. With this new model, it's now powered directly from the TV thanks to the included USB-C cable.

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This deal is available at Amazon right now.

TL;DR: All 104 matches of the 2026 World Cup are available to watch for free on BBC iPlayer/ITVX. Access these free live streams from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN, an Official Supporter of the FIFA World Cup 2026.

The world is watching the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

The best international sides from around the world are competing for arguably the biggest prize in sport. The final is now fast approaching. We've already seen powerhouses like Germany and Brazil get dumped out of the competition, and it feels like there's so much more still to come from huge names like Kylian Mbappé, Lamine Yamal, Harry Kane, and Lionel Messi as we hit the semi-final stage.

If you're interested in watching the 2026 FIFA World Cup from anywhere in the world, we've got all the information you need.

What is the FIFA World Cup?

The World Cup is an international football competition between senior men's national teams. The 2026 World Cup has been expanded to 48 teams, split into 12 groups of four teams. The top two teams in each group and the eight best third-placed teams will progress to the knockout rounds.

The defending champions are Argentina. They won their third title at the 2022 World Cup after defeating France in an epic final.

When is the 2026 FIFA World Cup?

The 2026 World Cup is the 23rd edition of this famous competition. This year's tournament takes place from June 11 to July 19.

How to watch the 2026 FIFA World Cup for free

A number of streaming platforms are offering free coverage of the 2026 FIFA World Cup:

• Australia — SBS

• Austria — ORF and ServusTV

• Belgium — RTBF and VRT

• France — M6

• Germany — ARD and ZDF

• Ireland — RTÉ

• Italy — RAI

• Norway — NRK

• Netherlands — NOS

• Spain — RTVE

• UK — BBC iPlayer and ITVX (recommended)

These streaming services are geo-restricted, but anyone can secure access with a VPN. These tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in another location, meaning you can livestream the 2026 FIFA World Cup for free from anywhere in the world.

Livestream the 2026 FIFA World Cup for free by following these simple steps:

1. Sign up for a streaming-friendly VPN (we recommend ExpressVPN)

2. Download the app to your device of choice

3. Open up the app and connect to a server in the UK

4. Visit BBC iPlayer or ITVX (recommended)

5. Watch the 2026 FIFA World Cup for free from anywhere in the world

Opens in a new window Credit: ExpressVPN ExpressVPN (1-Month Plan) $12.99 only at ExpressVPN Get Deal

The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but they do tend to offer generous money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can watch the 2026 FIFA World Cup without committing your cash. This is obviously not a long-term strategy, but it gives you enough time to stream this tournament before recovering your investment.

If you want to retain permanent access to the best free streaming services from around the world, you'll need a subscription. Fortunately, the best VPN for streaming live sport is on sale for a limited time.

What is the best VPN for the FIFA World Cup?

ExpressVPN is the best choice for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream live sport, for a number of reasons:

• Servers in 105 countries

• Easy-to-use app available on all major devices including iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac, and more

• Strict no-logging policy so your data is secure

• Fast connection speeds free from throttling

• Up to 10 simultaneous connections

• 30-day money-back guarantee

A two-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $68.40 and includes an extra four months for free — 81% off for a limited time. This plan includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee. Alternatively, you can get a one-month plan for just $12.99 (with money-back guarantee).

Live stream the 2026 FIFA World Cup for free with ExpressVPN.

TL;DR: T-Mobile is giving away the iPhone 17 and iPhone 17 Pro for free right now. Here's how to qualify for this limited-time offer.

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple iPhone 17 Free when you trade in your eligible phone on an Experience More or Experience Beyond plan.. Shop Now Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple iPhone 17 Pro Free when you switch to T-Mobile and bring your number on an Experience More or Experience Beyond plan. Shop Now

Did you know that Apple just bumped up the price of iPads and Macs? Have you read all about RAMageddon? Are you aware that smartphones are next to get price hikes? We're sorry to break this to you, but prices are on the rise across the board.

But you know what's bucking the trend? T-Mobile's selection of iPhone offers that include free deals. In fact, T-Mobile has dropped a fresh batch of free iPhone deals in July 2026:

• Apple iPhone 17 — free when you trade in your eligible phone on an Experience More or Experience Beyond plan.

• Apple iPhone 17 Pro — free when you switch to T-Mobile and bring your number on an Experience More or Experience Beyond plan (no trade-in needed).

It's important to note that T-Mobile isn't handing you a new iPhone without some strings attached. The retail cost of your new phone is offset by 24 consecutive monthly bill credits. Your monthly statement will show a standard charge for financing the phone, which is immediately balanced out by an equal credit. Translation: You are signing up for a 24-month commitment with the network.

If you decide to cancel your service, switch to another carrier, or upgrade to the iPhone 18 before the 24-month contract comes to an end, the remaining unpaid balance on the phone's retail value will become due immediately. You will also need to cover the standard upfront taxes and a one-time $35 activation fee.

That's a small price to pay for an iPhone that "has never been better," according to our review.

Get the Apple iPhones 17 for free with T-Mobile.

TL;DR: T-Mobile is giving away the iPhone 17 and iPhone 17 Pro for free right now. Here's how to qualify for this limited-time offer.

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple iPhone 17 Free when you trade in your eligible phone on an Experience More or Experience Beyond plan.. Shop Now Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple iPhone 17 Pro Free when you switch to T-Mobile and bring your number on an Experience More or Experience Beyond plan. Shop Now

Did you know that Apple just bumped up the price of iPads and Macs? Have you read all about RAMageddon? Are you aware that smartphones are next to get price hikes? We're sorry to break this to you, but prices are on the rise across the board.

But you know what's bucking the trend? T-Mobile's selection of iPhone offers that include free deals. In fact, T-Mobile has dropped a fresh batch of free iPhone deals in July 2026:

• Apple iPhone 17 — free when you trade in your eligible phone on an Experience More or Experience Beyond plan.

• Apple iPhone 17 Pro — free when you switch to T-Mobile and bring your number on an Experience More or Experience Beyond plan (no trade-in needed).

It's important to note that T-Mobile isn't handing you a new iPhone without some strings attached. The retail cost of your new phone is offset by 24 consecutive monthly bill credits. Your monthly statement will show a standard charge for financing the phone, which is immediately balanced out by an equal credit. Translation: You are signing up for a 24-month commitment with the network.

If you decide to cancel your service, switch to another carrier, or upgrade to the iPhone 18 before the 24-month contract comes to an end, the remaining unpaid balance on the phone's retail value will become due immediately. You will also need to cover the standard upfront taxes and a one-time $35 activation fee.

That's a small price to pay for an iPhone that "has never been better," according to our review.

Get the Apple iPhones 17 for free with T-Mobile.

We're halfway through House of the Dragon Season 3, but there's still a whole lot more to come.

That certainly the impression given by the "weeks ahead" trailer above that dropped after episode 4, and which teases tents burning, dragons circling, and some battle sequences that look like they may be up there in scale with episode 1's Battle of the Gullet.

Rhaenyra (Emma D'Arcy) may have claimed the Iron Throne, but it seems Team Black is far from victory.

House of the Dragon Season 3 is now streaming on HBO Max, with new episodes premiering Sundays at 9 p.m. ET on HBO and HBO Max.

By the end of The Vampire Lestat episode 6, titled "Montreal," the eponymous anti-hero (Sam Reid) and his on-again-off-again lover Louis (Jacob Anderson) have been decapitated, after having been ambushed by the now-in-cahoots Daniel (Eric Bogosian) and Armand (Assad Zaman).

Are they dead? Certainly not, right?

So, what could Interview with the Vampire creator Rolin Jones have up his sleep for the finale of Vampire Lestat's first season? Critics were only given episodes 1 through 6 for review. So, we're speculating from here.

Here's Mashable's predictions of what will happen in episode 7 of The Vampire Lestat.

Lestat will be put on trial this time. Armand and Larry share a glance in "The Vampire Lestat." Credit: AMC+

Armand has been in the shadows this season, lurking around Lestat as he goes on tour. Sure, he's surfaced with some AA atonement chatter to some that he wronged. But Lestat is right to suspect there's more to his reappearance. Little does he realize Armand has become the sponsor of bitter bandmate Alex (Seamus Patterson), who had described the ancient vampire as a "god" to his late brother, Larry (Noah Reid).

Armand pulls some theatrics to get his fledgling Daniel back on his side. And together, all three ambush Louis and Lestat. But why? A retrial is my guess.

Lestat is gearing up for a concert, where vampires around the world will convene to hear the album he made for their ears. I speculate that Armand will use this same stage to get his revenge on Lestat. As he sees it, Lestat stole control of the Théâtre des Vampires trial to save Louis. So, this could be his chance to turn the tables, making Lestat's audience his new congregation.

"Armand told the truth" has been a motto that's appeared throughout the season, driving Lestat batty. So, I predict episode 7 will be him outing the truth by forcing a wounded Lestat to finally answer Daniel's burning questions. What else might we learn?

What really happened on the train with Claudia? Delainey Hayles as Claudia and Roxane Duran as Madeleine in "Interview with the Vampire, "Season 2." Credit: Larry Horricks / AMC

When Lestat first reads Daniel's Interview with the Vampire, he's outraged at the suggestion that he'd threatened to rape Claudia (Delainey Hayles) when she attempted to run away again. Even fans bristled at this reading of the scene from Interview with the Vampire Season 1. In comments sections, they argue that Lestat was saying terrible things like rape could happen in the world if she sets out alone again — not that he'd do that to her.

SEE ALSO: Sam Reid on what Claudia and The Vampire Lestat have in common

Here's what Lestat actually said in Season 1: "What [Bruce] did to you was in very poor taste. Could you imagine if something like that happened to you again?"

In an interview with Mashable, Sam Reid, who plays Lestat, said of this scene being presented as the Brat Prince threatening his daughter with sexual assault as punishment, "He's blindsided by that. I think it's a very painful thing."

Reid then added, "We'll see Lestat's version of the train scene before the end of the season."

In episode 6, Claudia's spirit scoffs over this train scene. She admits she cried to Louis that Lestat threatened to rape her to manipulate him against their shared maker. "Worked good, didn't it?" She laughs.

Episode 7 will be Lestat's chance to share his point of view of that scene at long last.

What really happened to Nicky?

When Lestat sits down for Daniel's documentary in "Toronto," he shares a story about how Nicky's mental health only deteriorated after getting the dark gift. In flashbacks, Nicky chops off his own hand, asking Lestat to cut off the other. Meanwhile, Gabriella laughs and Armand watches in silence.

Lestat then tells Daniel:

"Gabriella went to coffin, leaving us and Armand. I told Nicky that I loved him, from the first seconds I saw him in Paris. That I was drunk with his love. I was engulfed by it. Your maker will tell you I was being kind, but in the moment, the words were true. I think.

I remember the light. Fireplace reflecting gold onto his face, onto his bare arms. But I would not look at the wound. I could not. I, um, I couldn't do it. But I watched as Armand pushed him into the fire and made sure he stayed there with a poker in his chest. Nicky had a bemused look on his face as he burned. And his mouth formed into a circle. And he made only one sound."

Then Lestat lets out a low, prolonged moan.

Notably, the flashback cuts off before showing any of these events. So, I suspect at the trial, Armand and Daniel will gleefully, self-righteously rake Lestat over the coals for the details about this part of his story. And the truth of Nicky's death will come out.

What will Akasha do? Akasha sleeps in "The Vampire Lestat." Credit: AMC+

Readers of the Anne Rice books have an inside track here. But Jones may make his own spin on that narrative. So, rather than pulling from Queen of the Damned, the third of Rice's Vampire Chronicles, we'll look back to what was said at the auction, which opened Season 3 and seems to bookend The Vampire Lestat.

When describing the Lestat-centric lots on the auction block, the auctioneer calmly refers to "consequential global catastrophes" that Lestat kicked off. Then, in his early narration of The Failures, Lestat himself says, "I'm not saying the attempted extinction of the Y chromosome across the continents was all my fault. No, that would suggest a level of self-importance even I am not confident with. But upon reflection — yeah, I made a contribution." 

Within this season, we've seen in flashback that his speaking to Akasha (Sheila Atim) roused her from her stone-like slumber once before. Surely, his concert would have done the same — so why not his trial?

Sounds like she'll rise again, taking down a slew of men in particular, but also possibly the vengeance-seeking Baby Jenks (Ella Ballentine)? Perhaps she'll slay Daniel, who Baby Jenks foretold would "die bad" back in episode 1. Maybe Akasha, Queen of the Damned, is to blame for Armand's eyepatch and Louis' limp in that aforementioned auction? But will she come for Lestat or kill him?

Will Lestat die in The Vampire Lestat?

Unlikely! For one thing, we haven't come to the catastrophe yet. And since Lestat refers to it on The Failures, he'll have to have survived them to record his recollection of them. So while he's not in the auction at the opening, he will survive the end of this season into the "future seasons" that Reid teased in his Mashable interview.

The Vampire Lestat is now streaming on AMC and AMC+, with new episodes each Sunday.

Deep breaths! Chances are if you're reading this, you just finished watching The Vampire Lestat episode 6, "Montreal." Which means you've just seen on-again-off-again vampire lovers Lestat de Lioncourt (Sam Reid) and Louis de Pointe du Lac (Jacob Anderson) share a cozy moment on a park bench  — before being unceremoniously decapitated.

It's a wild episode.

Daniel Molloy (Eric Bogosian) outs Sofia's true identity as Gabriella (Jennifer Ehle), mother and fledgling and lover of her son Lestat, through a sex tape. The witch Merrick (Sarah Afful) conducts a seance that reunites Louis and Lestat with Claudia (Delainey Hayles), and that does not go great! Then — despite all of this — Lestat and Louis take a break from screaming matches, sit down, and seem on the verge of a new chapter, when Daniel and Armand (Assad Zaman) and the vampire Alex (Seamus Patterson) descend to cut off their heads.

SEE ALSO: Sam Reid on how 'The Vampire Lestat' episode 5 changes everything for the Brat Prince

Even if you read the books, you might not have seen this one coming. But does this mean the end for Louis and Lestat? No. Can't be.

Let's dig into the reasons why.

There's still one more episode of The Vampire Lestat.

Sure, Interview With the Vampire series creator Rolin Jones has been taking some dramatic liberties with Anne Rice's core novels. He's changed settings, race-bent characters, and plucked bits from later books to put in the first two seasons. But he's not likely to kill off its most popular characters as a cliffhanger for the penultimate episode of The Vampire Lestat.

Lestat doesn't die in the books!

Does he come close? Sure. There's a stint where the impervious Brat Prince even tries to see if he can die. But this isn't how it'll happen.

"Toronto" hinted that Lestat might be unkillable.

In the third episode of The Vampire Lestat, the eponymous anti-hero sits down for an interview with Daniel Molloy and says, "I'm immortal, more or less. The light of the sun, the sustained heat of an intense fire, Jefferson Starship, garrote-wielding coven members, these things might destroy me. But then again, they might not."

Also, in episode 3, Daniel says Lestat owes him for preventing the Brat Prince from being beheaded in Detroit (both on the tour stop and in the episode) by the Fang Gang. Daniel is pedantically corrected by Dr. Fareed (Gopal Divan), who says, "You assume death at decapitation. A study done in Budapest had two class B vampires surviving separation for nearly two hours. A vampire of Lestat's breeding could last four to five times [longer]."

Later in the episode, Louis kills a Fang Gang member by chopping off his head. But the Jar-Jar Binks tattoo suggests this bloodsucker was not very old. Even Bruce (Damon Daunno) scoffs at his coven, calling them idealistic Gen Z'ers. Lestat and Louis are older, and made of tougher stuff (meaning the blood of Akasha).

Why do Armand and Daniel decapitate Louis and Lestat? Armand stares at Larry in ""The Vampire Lestat" episode 5, "New York." Credit: AMC+

"Detroit" offers one hint: Daniel does hate Lestat. After using his glamor power to trick Daniel into thinking he'd gotten the rock star to open up about Nicky and Magnus on camera, Lestat's voiceover from The Failures recording says, "A mean-spirited telepathetic prank, a price paid for amusing my muses. It brought poor Dan to his knees and seeded a hate for me inside him there to be watered in the sunlight later. But what can I say? Serving cunt has its consequences."

But let's not forget that Daniel's reunited with his daddy, Armand, who seems to have some strategy in place. For what? We have theories.

The Vampire Lestat is now streaming on AMC+, with new episodes each Sunday.

Welcome to your guide to Pips, the latest game in the New York Times catalogue.

Released in August 2025, 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 on to 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 with 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 July 13, 2026

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 July 13, 2026 Easy difficulty hints, answers for July 13 Pips

Number (6): Everything in this space must add up to 6. The answer is 3-5, placed vertically; 2-1, placed horizontally.

Equal (2): Everything in this space must be equal to 2. The answer is 2-1, placed horizontally; 2-0, placed horizontally.

Less Than (1): Everything in this space must be less than 1. The answer is 2-0, placed horizontally; 0-3, placed vertically; 0-5, placed horizontally.

Greater Than (3): Everything in this space must be greater than 3. The answer is 30-5, placed horizontally.

Number (3): Everything in this space must add up to 3. The answer is 0-3, placed vertically.

Medium difficulty hints, answers for July 13 Pips

Number (4): Everything in this space must add up to 4. The answer is 1-3, placed horizontally.

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

Equal (4): Everything in this space must be equal to 4. The answer is 4-1, placed vertically; 4-2, placed vertically.

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

Number (3): Everything in this space must add up to 3. The answer is 4-2, placed vertically; 1-6, placed horizontally.

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

Hard difficulty hints, answers for July 13 Pips

Number (4): Everything in this space must add up to 4. The answer is 2-2, placed horizontally.

Number (3): Everything in this space must add up to 3. The answer is 1-3, placed vertically; 2-0, placed horizontally.

Less Than (2): Everything in this space must be less than 2. The answer is 2-0, placed horizontally.

Number (3): Everything in this space must add up to 3. The answer is 1-3, placed vertically; 0-4, placed vertically.

Number (5): Everything in this space must add up to 5. The answer is 0-4, placed vertically; 1-5, placed vertically.

Number (5): Everything in this space must add up to 5. The answer is 1-5, placed vertically.

Number (8): Everything in this space must add up to 8. The answer is 6-2, placed vertically.

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

Equal (5): Everything in this space must be equal to 5. The answer is 5-4, placed horizontally; 5-2, placed horizontally.

Number (4): Everything in this space must add up to 4. The answer is 5-2, placed horizontally; 3-2, placed horizontally.

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

Number (5): Everything in this space must add up to 5. The answer is 3-5, 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.

Today's Connections: Sports Edition will be easier if you watch Kansas sports.

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. The sports Connections can be played on both web browsers and mobile devices and require players to group four words that share something in common.

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Each puzzle features 16 words, and each grouping of words is split into four categories. These sets could comprise anything from book titles, software, country names, etc. Even though multiple words will seem like they fit together, there's only one correct answer.

If a player gets all four words in a set correct, those words are removed from the board. Guess wrong and it counts as a mistake — players get up to four mistakes before the game ends.

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Players can also rearrange and shuffle the board to make spotting connections easier. Additionally, each group is color-coded with yellow being the easiest, followed by green, blue, and purple. Like Wordle, you can share the results with your friends on social media.

SEE ALSO: Wordle-obsessed? These are the best word games to play IRL. 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: On the baseball field

• Green: In Kansas

• Blue: Messi, Messi, Messi

• Purple: Sounds like a baseball team

Here are today's Connections: Sports Edition categories

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

• Yellow: Materials Found on a Baseball Field

• Green: Teams in Kansas

• Blue: Lionel Messi Teams

• Purple: Starts of MLB Team Names

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 #658 is...

What is the answer to Connections: Sports Edition today?

• Materials Found on a Baseball Field: CHALK, DIRT, GRASS, RUBBER

• Teams in Kansas: JAYHAWKS, SHOCKERS, SPORTING KC, WILDCATS

• Lionel Messi Teams: ARGENTINA, BARCELONA, INTER MIAMI, PARIS SAINT-GERMAIN

• Starts of MLB Team Names: BLUE, MARL, ROCK, WHIT

Don't feel down if you didn't manage to guess it this time. There will be new sports Connections for you to stretch your brain with tomorrow, and we'll be back again to guide you with more helpful hints.

Are you also playing NYT Strands? See hints and answers for today's Strands.

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

Not the day you're after? Here's the solution to yesterday's Connections.

Today's NYT Strands hints are easy if you know happiness.

Strands, the New York Times' elevated word-search game, 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.

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for July 10, 2026 NYT Strands hint for today’s theme: "Just what I needed"

The words are related to feeling content.

Today’s NYT Strands theme plainly explained

These words describe things happy feelings.

NYT Strands spangram hint: Is it vertical or horizontal?

Today's NYT Strands spangram is horizontal.

Meet The Mashable 101: Our list of the content creators shaping the internet today

NYT Strands spangram answer today

Today's spangram is Hits the spot.

NYT Strands word list for July 12

• Pleasant

• Enjoyable

• Satisfying

• Delightful

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 yesterday's Strands.

The NYT Connections puzzle today is not too difficult if you like cats.

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.

This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.

Each puzzle features 16 words and each grouping of words is split into four categories. These sets could comprise of anything from book titles, software, country names, etc. Even though multiple words will seem like they fit together, there's only one correct answer.

If a player gets all four words in a set correct, those words are removed from the board. Guess wrong and it counts as a mistake—players get up to four mistakes until the game ends.

This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.

Players can also rearrange and shuffle the board to make spotting connections easier. Additionally, each group is color-coded with yellow being the easiest, followed by green, blue, and purple. Like Wordle, you can share the results with your friends on social media.

SEE ALSO: NYT Pips hints, answers for July 10, 2026 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: Police interaction

• Green: Hold this

• Blue: Cats

• Purple: Sounds like a kiss

Meet The Mashable 101: Our list of the content creators shaping the internet today

Here are today's Connections categories

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

• Yellow: Interrogate

• Green: Things with Handles

• Blue: Fictional Cats

• Purple: Starting with Smooches

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 #1128 is...

What is the answer to Connections today

• Interrogate: EXAMINE, GRILL, PUMP, QUESTION

• Things with Handles: BUCKET, DRAWER, MUG, UMBRELLA

• Fictional Cats: FIGARO, PUSS, SALEM, TOM

• Starting with Smooches: BUSSIN, KISSER, PECKISH, SMACKDOWN

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for July 10, 2026

Are you also playing NYT Strands? Get all the Strands hints you need for today's puzzle.

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

Not the day you're after? Here's the solution to yesterday's Connections.

Today's Wordle answer should be easy to solve if you're like a dark beer.

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.

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for July 11, 2026 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 July 11, 2026 Here's a subtle hint for today's Wordle answer:

Brave, bold.

Does today's Wordle answer have a double letter?

The letter T appears twice.

Meet The Mashable 101: Our list of the content creators shaping the internet today

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

Today's Wordle starts with the letter S.

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...

STOUT

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.

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 yesterday's Wordle.

House of the Dragon has made no shortage of changes in its adaptation of George R.R. Martin's Fire and Blood, much to the consternation of the book's biggest fans (and Martin himself).

SEE ALSO: 'House of the Dragon's Ormund Hightower cooks up a villainous plan that isn't in the book

One of the changes that earned the most gripes was House of the Dragon's decision to cut Fire and Blood's character of Nettles, a key dragonrider, and gift her storyline to Rhaena Targaryen (Phoebe Campbell). At first, I'll admit, I was skeptical of the move as well. Why cut such a fascinating figure? But the first half of Season 3 has proven that merging Rhaena with Nettles wasn't just a matter of trimming Fire and Blood's considerable cast. It's also a way to further complicate the Targaryen family's thorny dynamics and Rhaenyra's growing paranoia.

Who is Nettles in Fire and Blood, and why is she so important?

In the book, Nettles is a lowborn girl from Driftmark who manages to claim Sheepstealer by feeding him sheep, just like Rhaena does in the show. Fearless and clever, she joins the dragonseed crew and fights at the Battle of the Gullet. Later, she and Daemon (Matt Smith) develop a close relationship as they seek out Aemond (Ewan Mitchell) and Vhagar, but Fire and Blood's historical "sources" differ on the true nature of their bond. Mushroom, a court fool, claims the pair are lovers. (For the record, she's 17 and he's 49.) Maester Norren of Maidenpool, where the pair spends considerable time, characterizes Daemon's behavior towards Nettles as more paternal. Like many of its historical events, Fire and Blood leaves the truth of Daemon and Nettles' relationship ambiguous, although it does give the lover theory much more airtime.

SEE ALSO: Is Sunfyre still alive in 'House of the Dragon'?

Whichever account you choose to believe, the important thing to know is that Rhaenyra (Emma D'Arcy) winds up hating Nettles, believing her to be a traitor. This puts a wedge between her and Daemon, who eventually helps Nettles escape after Rhaenyra demands her head.

Combining Rhaena and Nettles in Fire and Blood deepens the Targaryen tragedy.

House of the Dragon remixes the Nettles storyline significantly by replacing her with Rhaena, starting with the Battle of the Gullet. Instead of fighting alongside her fellow dragonriders, Rhaena loses control of her wild dragon and burns several Velaryon ships. Worse, the chaos of her and Sheepstealer's presence inadvertently leads to Jacaerys' (Harry Collett) death. That right there gives Rhaenyra more than enough cause to hate Sheepstealer's rider the way she hates Nettles, even if she doesn't know it's Rhaena quite yet.

Sheepstealer's rebellion also adds new dimensions to Rhaena. Up through Season 2, Rhaena has mostly been relegated to the background as the Targaryen without a dragon. While that reflects her own family's treatment of her, it doesn't make for the most compelling TV character. Now, though, she's faced with a horrifying reality: She's gotten the dragon she always wanted, but she can never join her fellow Targaryen dragonriders. Worse, she can never return home, knowing that Rhaenyra will blame her for Jace's death.

SEE ALSO: 'House of the Dragon' Season 3 family tree: How the Targaryens, Velaryons, and Hightowers connect

In Season 3, episode 4, House of the Dragon continues to build on this family tragedy when Daemon discovers Rhaena hiding out in the Vale. He realizes the horrible bind he now finds himself in. Should he go after his daughter to bring closure to Rhaenyra, knowing full well the truth would devastate Rhaenyra further and leave Rhaena's life forfeit? Or should he lie to Rhaenyra?

He chooses the latter option, burning an unknown body and claiming its unrecognizable head is that of Sheepstealer's rider. The lie showcases Daemon's protective paternal side, a rare sight to see in House of the Dragon, but it also reveals that there are limits to his loyalty to Rhaenyra. His daughters' safety is that limit.

Rhaenyra has feared betrayal from her own camp ever since Jace and her Queensguard locked her up before the Battle of the Gullet. But her pain and rage from that incident would pale in comparison to the double whammy that Rhaena rides Sheepstealer and that Daemon lied to her about it. Plus, what happens if Baela (Bethany Antonia) learns of Rhaena's whereabouts before Rhaenyra? You know that she would absolutely stand by her twin sister, meaning Rhaenyra would believe she's being betrayed by three of her remaining family members.

By making Rhaena Sheepstealer's rider and having her involved in Jace's death, House of the Dragon has woven an intricate web of tragic misunderstandings. With every episode, the threads on this web pull tighter and tighter, promising a painful, likely explosive conclusion once Rhaenyra inevitably learns the truth.

You simply don't get this same level of tragedy in Fire and Blood. Nettles and Daemon spend much of their time together sequestered in Maidenpool, removed from the rest of Team Black. (Them potentially being lovers adds an extra ick factor, especially since House of the Dragon has already seen enough child brides for a lifetime.) House of the Dragon's tweaks bring this storyline right to the heart of the Targaryen family, roping Rhaena, likely Baela, and even the late Jace into Rhaenyra and Daemon's conflict. It's an adaptation change that bolsters a good chunk of the show's existing ensemble, without adding new figures and spreading the rest of the cast thin.

So, while you can be sad to miss Nettles in House of the Dragon, don't simply dismiss House of the Dragon's changes to her storyline as needless alterations. Four episodes into Season 3, and they've made the show richer and more heartbreaking, proving that House of the Dragon knows exactly what it's doing when it comes to adaptation.

House of the Dragon Season 3 is now streaming on HBO Max, with new episodes premiering Sundays at 9 p.m. ET on HBO and HBO Max.

Ever since Ormund Hightower (James Norton) showed up in House of the Dragon, he's done nothing but sniff his pomander, give a boy a perfect Targaryen bleach job, and lie. Now, in Season 3, episode 4, his true master plan comes to light.

SEE ALSO: Is Sunfyre still alive in 'House of the Dragon'?

He doesn't want to help protect Aegon II Targaryen's (Tom Glynn-Carney) claim to rule. Instead, he wants to place someone else entirely on the Iron Throne: Daeron Targaryen (Benjamin Evan Ainsworth).

Since Daeron was raised as a ward of House Hightower, Ormund believes he's not as affected by the "taint" of the Targaryen blood he shares with his siblings. Instead, he thinks he's more of a Hightower, blessed with the virtues of the Seven and therefore more suited to rule. Remember, High Septon Balman (Simon Chandler) refused to bless Rhaenyra Targaryen's (Emma D'Arcy) coronation because he finds the Targaryens and their dragons profane. Perhaps he and the rest of the Faith of the Seven would look differently on Daeron due to his connection to House Hightower.

None of Ormund's schemes, from using a decoy Daeron (Charlie Gordon) to planning to crown the real Daeron, is in George R.R. Martin's Fire and Blood. However, the change opens up several fascinating possibilities for their future that aren't present in the book.

What are Ormund and Daeron up to in Fire and Blood?

Ormund and Daeron spend much of their time in and around Tumbleton. They also fight in the Battle of the Honeywine, which the show appears to have cut. During their time in Tumbleton, some of the local lords believe that Daeron should be crowned king, as he is a challenger to Rhaenyra's claim. However, Ormund is not the mastermind of this plot. In putting Ormund in control of the plot, House of the Dragon beefs up his role as a major antagonist outside the direct Targaryen family, while also putting more emphasis on Daeron's claim to the throne.

These elements are already present in Fire and Blood, but that book is a 700-page tome of Targaryen history, with only a small fraction devoted to the Dance of the Dragons. Because of this, we get a lot less time with characters like Ormund and Daeron than we do in the show. House of the Dragon has the power to expand on many of its characters, sometimes at the cost of cutting key book characters. (See: Rhaena (Phoebe Campbell) and Fire and Blood's Nettles.) That power is on full display with Ormund and Daeron, which offers a fascinating glimpse at their lord and squire dynamic and further highlights House Hightower's devotion to the Seven. The plan to crown Daeron also adds even more urgency to Rhaenyra's need to establish herself firmly as the Queen of the Seven Kingdom. Plus, the fake Daeron move worsens Rhaenyra's growing paranoia.

All of that is a potent combination that wouldn't have been possible had House of the Dragon not strayed a bit from its source material. Because it did, we're gifted with an even more formidable new villain, as well as an intriguing new conspiracy that book readers and show-only watchers alike won't be able to predict.

House of the Dragon Season 3 is now streaming on HBO Max, with new episodes premiering Sundays at 9 p.m. ET on HBO and HBO Max.