A deadly cyberattack rocks the country in the teaser trailer for Zero Day, an upcoming limited series coming to Netflix in 2025.3,402 people died on Zero Day, Robert De Niros President George Mullen says at the beginning of the teaser. As the former president, Mullen is charged with leading the Zero Day Commission, a special task force created to investigate a cyberattack that killed thousands. Mullen finds it difficult to decipher the truth from the lies in a world of disinformation. With the country in chaos, Mullen tries to smooth things over, but his newfound discoveries threaten the existence of everything he once stood for.Recommended VideosZero Dayis the first time De Niro has both acted in and executive produced a television series. Besides De Niro, Zero Days ensemble includes Jesse Plemons as Roger Carlson, Mullens former aide; Lizzy Caplan as Alexandra Mullen, a New York Congresswoman striving to distance herself from her fathers legacy; Connie Britton as Valerie Whitesell, Mullens former chief of staff; Joan Allen, Mullens wife and nominee to the federal bench; Matthew Modine as Richard Dreyer, the speaker of the house; and Angela Bassett as Evelyn Mitchell, the current U.S. president.ZERO DAY | Official Teaser | NetflixBill Camp,Dan Stevens, McKinley Belcher III, Gaby Hoffmann, Clark Gregg, and Mark Ivanir also star.Please enable Javascript to view this contentThe trio of Eric Newman,Noah Oppenheim, andMichael Schmidt createdZero Day, with Newman serving as the showrunner. Lesli Linka Glatter directs all six episodes of the limited series. The stories Schmidt encountered as a Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist initially inspired Zero Day.RelatedZero Daystreams on Netflix on February 20, 2025.Editors Recommendations

another very good year TV Technica 2024: Our picks for the best of TV From wacky crime capers and dystopian video game adaptions to sweeping historical epics, 2024 had a little of everything Jennifer Ouellette Dec 24, 2024 7:00 am | 0 Credit: Aurich Lawson | Getty Images Credit: Aurich Lawson | Getty Images Story textSizeSmallStandardLargeWidth *StandardWideLinksStandardOrange* Subscribers only Learn moreEditor's note: Warning: Although weve done our best to avoid spoiling anything major, please note this list does include a few specific references to several of the listed shows that some might consider spoiler-y.This was another good year for television, with established favorites sharing space on our list with some intriguing new shows. Really, 2024 had a little of everything, from wacky crime capers (Bad Monkey) and Satanic Panic (Hysteria) to dystopian video game adaptations (Fallout) and sweeping historical epics (Shgun), with plenty of genre-mashup delights in between. While streaming platforms continue to dominate, the selection is more evenly distributed across them this year, with only Hulu and Netflix snagging more than two slots (depending on whether or not you lump Hulu together with Disney+ after the merger).As always, we're opting for an unranked list, with the exception of our "year's best" vote at the very end, so you might look over the variety of genres and options and possibly add surprises to your eventual watchlist. We invite you to head to the comments and add your own favorite TV shows released in 2024.Interior Chinatown (Hulu) Credit: Hulu This meta action comedy is showrunner Charles Yu's adaption of his own 2020 satirical novel of the same name, which employed the screenplay format as a narrative structure. Interior Chinatown keeps that concept; here, the characters are, in turn, characters in a police procedural called Black and White, clearly modeled on the Law and Order franchise.Jimmy O. Yang plays Willis Wu, a waiter in a Chinese restaurant who is initially unaware that he is just a background character on the show within the show. Then he witnesses a kidnapping and detectives Sarah Green (Lisa Gilroy) and Miles Turner (Sullivan Jones) are called in to investigate. They actually can't see or hear Willisor any background character, for that matterunless he happens to have a purpose to the spotlight action. So Willis and Chinatown's residents are just going about their business and every now and then the spotlight flashes on and Green and Turner saunter through for a "scene."As Willis tries to solve the case of his missing older brother with the help of supporting character Detective Lana Lee (Chloe Bennet), he uncovers a possible criminal underground enterprise in Chinatown and some well-kept family secrets. The writing is clever, the plot twists abound, the characters are fully drawn, and there are plenty of humorous and heartfelt moments to break up the main action. Special shout-out to Ronny Chieng as Willis' best friend Fatty, who has to take over Willis' waiter duties and inadvertently becomes a viral sensation with his rude outbursts directed at non-Asian customers. White people actually start flocking to the restaurant to be verbally abused by "Mean Waiter," much to Fatty's exasperation. It's those kinds of unexpected twists that make Interior Chinatown unique.Jennifer OuelletteThe Penguin(Max) Credit: HBO/Max My pick for the best television show in 2024 is a limited series based on the Batman universe character: The Penguin. It's a sequel of sorts to The Batman film released in March 2022. The best way to describe the series, I believe, is The Sopranos comes to Gotham, but with even more grit and atmosphere. Batman is not involved at all. Colin Farrell plays the Penguin, whose real name is Oz Cobb, and who is struggling to rise to power in the fictional city's criminal underworld. Viewers have to struggle to recognize Farrell, who is acting a tour de force beneath some pretty involved prosthetics and makeup.The other standout performer is Cristin Milioti, who plays a presumed psychopathic serial killer but, well, I don't want to spoil it. She's fabulous. The whole show is amazing, actually, and I'm not normally one for comic book movies or television. I don't recommend binging it but rather sipping each of the eight episodes as if it were fine wine.Eric BergerSweetpea (Starz) Credit: Starz Are killer psychopaths born or made? One might ponder that question after watching Sweetpea, the story of a shy young woman who has been bullied or ignored much of her life and finally snaps, with fatal consequences. Based on the novel by CJ Skuse, the series stars Ella Purnell (of Yellowjackets fame) as Rhiannon, an administrative assistant at her local newspaper who lives with her ailing dad and dog. But then everything goes wrong at once: her father dies, her dog is run over, and her sister insists on selling the family home, forcing Rhiannon to find a new placeand the estate agent is Rhiannon's high school nemesis, Julia (Nicole Lecky).Sweetpea is essentially a revenge fantasy. It would be so easy for the viewer to just become exasperated with Rhiannon's passivity and occasional self-pitying rants, but Purnell's intense performance brings out the rage and violence simmering underneath that quiet surface. Rhiannon really is invisible to most people, brought home when she takes refuge from the rain at an underpass and a passing drunk guy ends up peeing all over her. "Oh, sorry, didn't see you there," he shrugs. It's a powerful moment when an enraged Rhiannon stabs this complete stranger over and over, screaming, "Can you see me now?" Along with the guilt and fear come increased confidence and strength, and maybe even a love interestbut can Rhiannon really get away with murder?Jennifer OuelletteMatlock (CBS) Credit: CBS Children of the late '80s/early '90s will no doubt have fond memories of the popular mystery series/legal drama Matlock, starring Andy Griffith in the title role of Andy Matlock, criminal defense attorney. We now have a gender-flipped version starring Kathy Bates, but it's not a remake. Rather, Bates plays a wealthy retired lawyer named Madeleine Kingston who goes undercover as a legal assistant at a large law firm, taking on the alias surname of Matlock because the show was one of her deceased daughter's favorites.Matty's objective: to find evidence that the firm covered up the fact that an opioid manufactured by one of their pharmaceutical giant clients was highly addictive, thereby contributing to her daughter's death by opioid overdose. But first she has to prove herself by helping win several smaller cases, all while juggling a dual identity and nosing around the firm's files on the sly. Honestly, it's refreshing to see a simple, case-of-the-week (with a longer season arc) network series with likable characters, good writing, and strong performances throughout the cast. It's a winning combination that makes Matlock the perfect comfort watch.Jennifer OuelletteStar Trek: Lower Decks S5 (Paramount+) Credit: Paramount+ The animated adventures of the crew of the USS Cerritos had its fifth and final season this year. Set in a post-Voyager, pre-Picard timeframe, which for many is Starfleet in its golden era, it was initially dismissed by some as "Rick and Morty in space" due to previous work from its creators. But over the past five seasons, Lower Decks has proven to be Star Trek through and throughjust animated and also funny. And quite bawdy.It's fair to say that there's a lot of fan service in Lower Decks, but also that this fan likes what he's being served. Deep cuts abound, from across decades of Trek canon, and like previous seasons, a number of guest stars show up in episodes, including Brent Spinder (Data in The Next Generation), Alfre Woodard (Lily Sloan in First Contact), Andrew Robinson (Elim Garak in Deep Space 9), Alexander Siddig (Julian Bashir in DS9), Jolene Blalock (T'Pol in Enterprise), and Garrett Wang (Harry Kim in Voyager). But perhaps not entirely as you might expect themthe overarching plot this season involves rifts being opened to parallel universes in the multiverse, potentially destroying them all.At the time of writing the final episode has yet to air, but the one that precedes it ("Fissure Quest") is Lower Decks at its very finest. It paints Starfleet at its optimistic best, pokes a whole bunch of nostalgia buttons, and makes me laugh repeatedly. Not every episode in season 5 has been quite as good, but it wouldn't be real Trek if there wasn't the occasional miss.It is within the realms of possibility that Paramount+'s cancellation will not be the end for the show, with fans hoping another streaming network could pick it up, the way that Netflix took over showing the second season of Star Trek: Prodigy that Paramount wanted to shelve. Right now, the odds of that happening are pretty remote, though, and in the spirit of optimism best embodied by Mariner and her gang, let's not be sad it's over, let's be happy it happened.Jonathan GitlinThe Cowboy Channel's "Texas Swing" Credit: Steve Wrubel/The Cowboy Channel My personal end-of-year TV list would never be complete without a nod to The Cowboy Channel, i.e., the only place where you can follow your favorite cowboys and cowgirls throughout the rodeo season as they compete to rack up enough wins to qualify for the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo (NFR) in Las Vegas in December. Seven years after its founding, The Cowboy Channel has clearly had a significant impact on boosting the visibility of the sport, as well as attendance at live rodeo events.This year, we're focusing on the so-called "Texas Swing": five major rodeos in the Lone Star state running from the end of January through mid-April, in Fort Worth, San Antonio, Houston, Austin, and San Angelo. The rodeo season runs year-round, officially from October 1 through September 30. But the Texas Swing collectively pays out several million dollars, giving athletes a chance to take an early lead in the rankings. (Most event winners at the Houston rodeo in particular typically end up qualifying for the NFR.) So there's a lot at stake, and The Cowboy Channel's extensive coverage and commentary is essential viewing for following those stakes.Jennifer OuelletteThe Lincoln Lawyer S3 (Netflix) Credit: Netflix Crime novel publishing juggernaut Michael Connelly already had one great TV series to his name, based on fictional detective Harry Bosch (the eponymous Bosch). Then Netflix developed The Lincoln Lawyer, based on Connelly's criminal defense attorney Mickey Haller, starring Manuel Garcia-Rulfo in the title role. The nickname comes from the fact that Mickey often works out of his Lincoln Navigator. (There was also a 2011 film adaption, The Lincoln Lawyer, starring Matthew McConaughey, but the two projects are very different.)Season 3 was based on Connelly's 2013 novel, The Gods of Guilt, and it's adapted exceptionally well for television. As always, Garcia-Rulfo is terrific as Haller, surrounded by a top-notch supporting cast, notably Mickey's legal aide and ex-wife, Lorna (Becki Newton), freelance investigator Cisco (Angus Sampson), and Izzy (Jazz Raycole), a former client who becomes Mickey's personal driver (and later the office manager). But as with Bosch, it's the city of Los Angeles that truly shines, a character in its own right, always lurking in the background.Jennifer OuelletteTrue Detective: Night Country (HBO) Credit: HBO HBO's True Detective, created by Nic Pizzolatto, was a pop-culture sensation when it debuted in 2014. (Remember "time is a flat circle"?) Its sophomore outing lacked the original's surreal magic, but S3 was a solid return to form, mixing elements of noir and procedural drama to weave a haunting tale of fractured time and memory. Pizzolatto wasn't involved in this year's even stronger fourth season, subtitled Night Country, with Issa Lopez taking over as showrunner. Lopez has reinvented the series, creating what she viewed as a "dark mirror" to Pizzolatto's three seasons that stands on its own.Night Country is set in the fictional town of Ennis, Alaska, where eight scientists at a research station mysteriously go missing one night with no trace, leaving a severed tongue at the scene. They are found soon after out on the ice, naked bodies tangled and frozen together in a pile, with their clothes neatly folded on the snow. It's up to Detectives Liz Danvers (Jodie Foster) and Evangeline Navarro (Kali Reis) to crack the case. Night Country only tangentially evokes the Yellow King mythology of the prior three seasons, but it does capture the anthology series' essential spookiness and supernatural undertones despite the all-too-human solution to the case.Jennifer OuelletteOnly Murders in the Building S4 (Hulu) Credit: Hulu This charming Emmy-nominated comedy series has made our "Best of TV" list every season, and 2024 is no exception. Only Murders in the Building stars Steve Martin, Martin Short, and Selena Gomez as Charles, Oliver, and Mabel, all residents of the same Manhattan apartment complex, the Arconia. The unlikely trio teamed up to launch their own true crime podcast whenever someone died in the building under suspicious circumstances, chronicling their independent investigation to solve the murder. There's no shortage of podcast fodder since this single building has a shockingly high murder rate.This time around, the trio investigates the death of Charles' longtime stunt double Sazz (Jane Lynch), who was shot dead in his apartment while he and his pals were celebrating wrapping the prior podcast season. It's a complicated mystery involving the strange residents of the Arcadia's West Tower, a bar specifically for stunt performers, and a film adaption of the trio's first-season podcast. Eugene Levy, Zach Galifianakis, and Eva Longoria play fictional versions of themselves cast as Charles, Oliver, and Mabel, respectively, and naturally get into the sleuthing spirit. And Meryl Streep makes a welcome return as Oliver's actress girlfriend Loretta.This season was a bit more meta than the prior three, largely because so much of the action shifts to Hollywood for several episodesevery episode title is a reference to an actual filmas well as a foray to Long Island to hide out with Charles' sister Doreen (Melissa McCarthy). That served to keep things fresh after four seasons; S5 will focus on the death of the building's doorman, found floating in the Arcadia's fountain in the season finale. OMITB will eventually run out of fresh takes on its clever concept, but it hasn't done so yet.Jennifer OuelletteThe Sticky(Prime Video) Credit: Prime Video Perhaps you've heard of the infamous Great Canadian Maple Syrup Heist of 20112012, in which a group of thieves managed to steal over $18 million worth of maple syrup from a strategic reserve storage facility in Quebec. If not, you'll probably find yourself googling it after watching The Sticky, a delightfully dark comic series very (very!) loosely based on the heist.Margo Martindale plays Ruth Landry, a struggling maple syrup farmer who is about to lose her farm to the greedy head of the collective, Leonard (Guy Nadon). So she conspires with shady businessman Mike (Chris Diamantopoulos) and security guard Remy (Guillaume Cyr) to steal millions of dollars of maple syrup in revenge. Their elaborate plan soon hits all kinds of darkly hilarious snags that lead to more serious repercussions. With its flinty, morbid humor and collection of eccentric charactersincluding a star turn by Jamie Lee Curtis as a tough mafia enforcer named Bo SheaThe Sticky is definitely channeling the Cohn brothers' Fargo. But series creators Brian Donovan and Ed Herro have added their unique stamp to make it very much their own.Jennifer OuelletteSt. Denis Medical (NBC) Credit: NBC Just when we thought smart, sophisticated network sitcoms were a disappearing relic from the golden age of broadcast television, NBC comes out with St. Denis Medical, a thoroughly enjoyable mockumentary in the style of The Office and Parks and Recreation. Here the setting is the chronically underfunded ER of an Oregon hospital, and the camera crew follows the overworked doctors and nurses as they go about their daily duties.You've got Joyce (Wendi McLendon-Covey), the ambitious executive director; Alex (Allison Tolman), the workaholic supervising nurse; Bruce (Josh Lawson), a cocky trauma surgeon; burnt-out emergency physician Ron (David Alan Grier); newly hired nurse Matt (Mekki Leeper), who hails from a strict religious group in Montana; and his crush, the cool and capable nurse, Serena (Kahyun Kim). The format may be familiar, but the show nonetheless feels fresh, thanks to top-notch writing and performances from its talented cast.Jennifer OuelletteYellowstone (Paramount+) Credit: Paramount+ Series creator Taylor Sheridan first pitched this neo-Western drama as "The Godfather in Montana"; one might also think of it as Succession on a ranch. It follows the members of the Dutton family, led by patriarch John Dutton III (Kevin Costner), as they struggle to preserve their massive Montana cattle ranch: the titular Yellowstone. One source of tension is that the ranch shares borders with the Broken Rock Indian Reservation. But the biggest threats come from billionaire corporate land developers and scheming local government officials, eager to get their greedy hands on all that gorgeous acreage to build casinos, resort hotels, golf courses, and the like.Yellowstone is basically a nighttime soap and a particularly good one, thanks to strong, complex characters and their interrelationships/intense personal conflicts. The Duttons are not good people, but nor are they entirely evil, despite doing many evil deedsoften for a good cause but not always. (The body count at the "train station" alone would get them multiple life sentences.) Seasons 24 represent the series at its peak. Alas, Costner left after the first part of S5; the second half unceremoniously kills off his character at the start of the first episode, with the remaining season dealing with the messy aftermath of what turns out to be an assassination.I'll be frank: Without Costner as an anchor, the second part of S5 just wasn't as strong as prior seasons or even the first half of S5. There are several plot holes, extra scenes clearly included just to boost Sheridan's ego, and the dialogue has become overly preachy and didacticalmost as annoying as Aaron Sorkin's mini-sermons in later seasons of The West Wing, which is saying something.Still, the show gave us one heck of a full-blown revenge fantasy finale. Yellowstone makes this year's list because the series as a wholeand its supremely talented castdeserves a fitting farewell for the top-notch entertainment it's provided since 2018. Sure, there are spinoffs, including one in development featuring fan favorites Beth Dutton (Kelly Reilly) and Rip Wheeler (Cole Hauser). But there will never be anything quite like the OG.Jennifer OuelletteInterview with the Vampire S2 (AMC) Credit: AMC Anne Rice's bestselling 1976 gothic horror novel gets a fresh adaptation for television that is markedly different in many ways from the 1994 film adaptation. The main character, Louis (Jacob Anderson), is reimagined as a mixed-race Creole pimp in New Orleans' red light district rather than a white plantation owner. And child vampire Claudia (Delainey Haines in S2) is now 14 instead of 5-year-old. The first season covered the novel's first half, in which Louis shares, in flashbacks, what happened between him and the enigmatic vampire Lestat (Sam Reid) with journalist Daniel Molloy (Eric Bogosian).That proved to be a toxic relationship that ended badly, with Louis and Claudia nearly killing Lestat and running away to Europe. In S2, they join up with a vampire coven in Paris led by the vampire Armand (Assad Zaman), hoping they have found a stable home. But it turns out the coven's founder was none other than Lestat, putting that newfound family at risk. It's hard to go wrong with Rice's captivating storyline and unforgettable characters, especially with such strong performances from the main cast and evocative settings, bringing the written page to vivid life.Jennifer OuelletteBodkin (Netflix) Credit: Netflix This British satirical dark comedy features an American podcaster named Gilbert (Will Forte), who travels to a small Irish coastal town called Bodkin to record an investigative podcast about the disappearance of three people decades earlier during a Samhain festival. He's aided by his assistant, aspiring journalist Emmy (Robyn Cara), and by a veteran Irish investigative journalist, Dove (Siobhan Cullen), on assignment in exile after a story falls apart when her whistleblower source unexpectedly dies.Naturally the locals are not thrilled about podcasters digging up the past, but over seven episodes, Gilbert and his team not only solve the cold case, they heal a few long-standing emotional wounds in the process. The humor is more sly and subtle than, say, Only Murders in the Building, but Bodkin is nonetheless a quirky gem of a series, with a colorful setting filled with likable, eccentric characters. It's worth a watch.Jennifer OuelletteMy Lady Jane (Prime Video) Credit: Prime Video The tragic fate of Lady Jane Grey, aka the Nine Days' Queen, is well-known to aficionados of English history. Named as Edward VI's successor, she was named queen while still a teenager but quickly deposed in favor of Edward's Catholic half-sister Mary; Jane was eventually executed. The historical fantasy series My Lady Jane offers an alternative scenario where Jane (Emily Bader) avoids that fate with the help of her eventual husband, Lord Guilford Dudley (Edward Bluemel), and humans who can take animal form known as Ethians. Ordinary humans are known as Verity, and the two sects are explicitly forbidden from mixing.There is no sense in which My Lady Jane is intended as an accurate historical portrayal of 16th century England; the deliberate anachronisms alone are a testament to that, not to mention the constant presence of magic. Instead, showrunner Gemma Burgess has put together an irreverent engaging romp rife with witty banter, political intrigue, and a bit of derring-donot to mention a killer soundtrack. Sadly, Amazon canceled the series after one season, much to the dismay of fans, including George R.R. Martin. So we won't find out if Jane eventually figures out how to reclaim her throne from the scheming Mary.Jennifer OuelletteRenegade Nell (Disney+) Credit: Disney+ Award-winning British TV writer Sally Wainwright is best known for the dramatic series Happy Valley (20142023) and Gentleman Jack (20192022), the latter produced jointly by BBC and HBO. Wainwright partnered with Disney+ for her latest series, the resolutely PG-13 Renegade Nell, which is a different beast altogether: a good old-fashioned, swashbuckling comic adventure with a supernatural twist, featuring a sassy cross-dressing heroine forced to turn to highway robbery to survive.Set in 1705 during the reign of Queen Anne, the series stars Louisa Harland (Derry Girls) as Nell Jackson, widowed and possessed of occasional supernatural skills whenever someone threatens her, courtesy of a fairy sprite named Billy Blind (Nick Mohammed). Nell runs afoul of the louche, drunken offspring of the town's landlord, things escalate, and Nell finds herself on the run and framed for murder, along with her two sisters, Roxy (Bo Bragason) and George (Florence Keen), and the Blanchefords' former groomsman, Rasselas (Enyi Okoronkwo). The group gets further assistance from a charming aristocratic dandy/secret highwayman named Charles Devereaux (Frank Dillane).The writing, pacing, and production values are top-notch, and the cast is terrific across the board. Renegade Nell keeps the action flowing and wisely never takes itself too seriously. Sure, there is injustice, class warfare, and strong intelligent women chafing within the strict confines of traditional binary gender roles. But Wainwright never lets the story get bogged down in heavy-handed symbolism or didacticism. Sadly, Disney+ canceled the series, but this one season stands just fine on its own.Jennifer OuelletteThe Decameron (Netflix) Credit: Netflix Let's get one thing straight: Netflix's The Decameron has almost nothing to do with Boccaccio's 14th century collection of stories, apart from the title and being set in the middle of the Black Plague in Florence. The main characters retreat to a secluded villa as bodies mount in the city, but they don't sit around telling stories. They become the stories: mistaken identity, forbidden desires, illicit trysts, arranged marriages, and maybe even true love all factor into the plot, such that it is. And, of course, they must fend off others also fleeing the plague, including a ruthless band of mercenaries intent on taking over their villa.Series creator Kathleen Jordan has put together a terrific cast with impeccable comic timing, well up to the task of playing into some pretty dark humordeath by Black Plague isn't pretty, yet somehow you'll find yourself chuckling about it. The Decameron is original, smartly silly, and quite unapologetically bawdy, making it a refreshing addition to the TV comedy landscape.Jennifer OuelletteGet Millie Black (HBO) Credit: HBO In the mood for an edgy British crime series? HBO has you covered with Get Millie Black, starring Tamara Lawrance as a Jamaican-born detective who gets kicked out of Scotland Yard and finds herself back home, working a missing persons case with the Jamaican Police Force. That brings her and partner Curtis (Gershwyn Eustache) into conflict with the wealthy and powerful ruling family of Kingston, with a possible connection to the London case that led to Millie's ouster from the Yard.She's also dealing with her estranged transgender sister, Hibiscus (Chyna McQueen), who insists on living in a slum area called the Gully, and trying to navigate her love life. Get Millie Black is a good, meaty procedural with a compelling lead, but what really makes the series is the authentic Jamaican setting, and the way the viewer is effortlessly immersed in the local dynamics and cultural/political tensions of Kingstonright down to the dialect (HBO has helpfully provided subtitles, which do come in handy at times).Jennifer OuelletteCursed Gold (National Geographic/Disney+) Credit: Recovery Limited Partnership Liquidating Trust Many people dream of finding lost or hidden treasure, but sometimes realizing that dream turns out to be a nightmare. Such was the case for Tommy Thompson, an American treasure hunter who famously beat the odds to discover the location of the SS Central America shipwreck (aka the "ship of gold") in 1988. Thompson and his team recovered significant amounts of gold and artifacts to great fanfare, but the euphoria proved short-lived. His many travails make the perfect fodder for National Geographic's riveting three-part documentary about Thompson's spectacular rise and precipitous fall: Cursed Gold: A Shipwreck Scandal, based on a 1998 book by Gary Kinder.Director Sam Bedstead read Kinder's book and wanted to tell his own version of Thompson's story, including everything that happened after the book was published. A lot happened, including Thompson panicking and going on the run in 2012, stashing some $4 million in offshore accounts. (Thompson is currently in prison for contempt of court.) Bedstead combed through over 700 pages of court transcripts and more than 600 hours of archival footage from the original salvage expedition to make Cursed Gold, as well as conducting follow-up interviews with many of the relevant parties. The end result is a documentary that plays like a thriller, with Thompson as the semi-tragic figure at the center.Jennifer OuelletteMoonflower Murders (PBS) Credit: PBS This is the follow-up to 2023's delightful Magpie Murders, in which literary editor Susan Ryland (Lesley Manville) solved the murder of her bestselling author Alan Conway (Conleth Hill) and located the missing final chapter of Conway's last manuscriptwhich just happened to be crucial to identifying the killer. She was helped along the way by recurring imaginary conversations with Conway's star detective Atticus Pund (Timothy McMullan), playing out Conway's final fictional mystery alongside Susan's real investigation.It was clever gimmick that made for a delightful series, and Moonflower Murders gives us more of the same story-within-a-story framework. Susan is now semi-retired and living in Crete with fianc Andreas (Alexandros Logothetis) as they struggle to revive the fortunes of the hotel Andreas purchased. She is approached by a hotelier couple whose daughter Cecily has gone missing. Cecily called them after reading one of Conway's Atticus Pund novels and said the wrong man had been jailed for a murder that took place at the couple's hotel eight years earlier.The solution is hidden somewhere in the novel, because Conway had a habit of using thinly veiled people and events from real life. Susan must track down what happened to Cecily with Imaginary Atticus by her side once again, offering helpful insights. And maybe she'll figure out what really happened with the hotel murder and exonerate an innocent man. Moonflower Murders is the perfect comfort watch for a long, lazy weekend.Jennifer OuelletteAgatha All Along (Disney+) Credit: Disney+ The MCU's foray into streaming television has produced mixed results, but one of my favorites is the weirdly inventive, oh-so-meta WandaVision. I'm happy to report that the spinoff sequel, Agatha All Along, taps into that same offbeat creativity, giving us a welcome reminder of just how good the MCU can be when it's firing on all storytelling cylinders.We find Agatha Harkness (Katherine Hahn) still under Wanda Maximoff's original spell as a nosy neighbor in a small town. A mysterious young Teen (Joe Locke) breaks the hex and asks her to show him the way to the legendary Witches' Road, a journey involving a series of trials. The reward: any surviving witches get what they most desire. Agatha wants her powers backand Teen, well, his motives are murkier, as is his identity. Rounding out the coven are Lilia (Patti LuPone), a divination witch; Jennifer (Sasheer Zamata), a potions witch; Alice (Ali Ahn), a protection witch; and Sharon Davis (Debra Jo Rupp, reprising her WandaVision role) standing in for a green witch on account of her gardening skills. Agatha is also being pursued by her ex, Rio Vidal (Aubrey Plaza), a powerful green witch, as well as the Salem Seven, vengeful wraiths of Agatha's first coven.A large part of WandaVision's delight came from the various sitcom styles featured in each episode. Agatha All Along has its own take on that approach: Each trial takes on the setting and style of witches from popular culture (even the ending credits play on this). And the seventh episode, "Death's Hand in Mine," focusing on Lilia and a deadly tarot reading, might just be the best single episode of all the Marvel TV series to date. In my review, I questioned one creative choice in the series finale, which didn't quite work for me. On the whole, though, Agatha All Along is marvelously entertaining, binge-able fun with just enough emotional resonance and heartbreak to give it a bit of depth.Jennifer OuelletteHysteria (Peacock) Credit: Peacock Hysteria is a show about a small US town in the 80s that descends into paranoia, fear, and a hive-mind-like frenzy after a high school boy goes missing in the 80s. I came to the show for Bruce Campbell, hoping for another tale of horror with a dark comedy twist la Evil Dead. But I ended up staying for a standout, memorable cast and a fascinating dive into how hive minds form amid uncertainty and danger.Things get more interesting when a trio of outcast teens pretend to be Satanists to get people interested in their rock band. The falsehood simultaneously makes the children more popular in their school and pariahs in their town, as people suspect that they had something to do with the missing boy. Strong acting and personable deliveries from all three actors (Emjay Anthony as Dylan, Kezii Curtis as Spud, and, especially, Chiara Aurelia as Jordy) kept me pressing play as the teens toed the blurring line between their lie and their reality.Their classmates, who Dylan desperately wants to impress, are also captivating. At times, you may actually find yourself rooting for the popular girl or jock, who turn out to have darker inclinations and more layers than their typical stereotypes. In fact, no character, including Dylans parents (Julie Bowen from Modern Family and voice actor and Port Charles star Nolan North) and Christian mother Tracy (Anna Camp, True Blood), are what they seem.While maintaining a quirky and mysterious air, the show yields questions like, is a cult real if its creators are pretending but its followers arent? What can leave adults vulnerable to that special flavor of panic that makes them question their own families, faith leaders, and even the genre of rock and roll? And how easy is it for people to fall victim to mass hysteria when confronted with real-life peril, confusing phenomena, and a relatable desire to be part of something, which doesnt go away after high school?Toss in some classic rock and roll and appearances from an extraordinary entity, and you have a one-of-a-kind comedy horror that doesnt go where you expect but brings you on a hell of a ride thatll make you wonder if you, too, might have been part of the hysteria.And yes, Campbell does deliver.Scharon HardingRivals (Hulu) Credit: Hulu This is an adaptation of a 1988 Jilly Cooper novel of the same name. It's a contemporary spin, although the series is still set in 1980s England in the Cotswolds region, which makes for a super fun soundtrack packed with '80s nostalgia. The central rivals are Tony, Lord Baddingham (David Tennant), a nouveau riche managing director of a TV station who married into nobility, and Rupert Campbell-Black (Alex Hassell), a retired Olympics show jumper and incorrigible womanizer who represents aristocratic class and old money. But there's plenty of scheming and cattiness and class warfare to go around among the rest of the colorful ensemble cast.It's nice to see Tennant sink his teeth into such a villainous role, and he's well-matched against Hassell, who is the perfect charming louche with just enough lingering shreds of humanity to occasionally do something decent. Rivals is a briskly paced and positively addictive British romp with plenty of scandalous twists, lusty ribald humor, and more serious notes of genuine pain lurking beneath the frothy surface. You end up really caring about the characters, even the more dastardly onesa tribute to the stellar cast and writing.Jennifer OuelletteMonsieur Spade (AMC) Credit: AMC Along with Raymond Chandler, Dashiell Hammet's legendary private detective Sam Spade pretty much defined noir crime fiction in the 1930s. But what happens when the hard-boiled detective gets old and longs for a peaceful retirement? That's the premise behind Monsieur Spade, starring Clive Owen as a middle-aged Spade who has left his past behind for a peaceful life in the small French town of Bozouls in the 1960s.Spade is mourning the loss of his wife, Gabrielle (Chiara Mastroianni), who thoughtfully left him her estate so he could continue his life of leisure. That quiet existence is shattered by the brutal murder of six beloved nuns in the nearby convent. They had been caring for Spade's rebellious teenage ward, Teresa (Cara Bossom), whose life may now be in danger due to the shenanigans of her criminal biological father. Spade must find the fortitude for one last case, digging up secrets many in the town would prefer to stay buried, and face off against an old adversary. Owen makes a terrific older Spade, all craggy features and rasping voice. It's a good, twisty thriller with great characters and a satisfying conclusion, very much in the spirit of the original.Jennifer OuelletteSlow Horses S4 (Apple TV+) Credit: Apple TV+ Four seasons in and counting, there is still no better spy thriller on TV these than this always riveting British spy thriller, based on the "Slough House" series of novels by Mick Herron, and it just keeps getting better. Slough House is basically a dead-end administrative purgatory for MI5 agents who screw up or otherwise fall short of expectations, mockingly derided as the "slow horses" of the title. Slough House is headed by the slovenly, flatulent, and frequently intoxicated Jackson Lamb (Gary Oldman), who routinely heaps verbal abuse on his staff but is nonetheless a brilliant spymaster in his own smelly way.S4 kicks off with a suicide bomber striking a London shopping mall, whose name turns out to be that of an MI5 "cold body" (fake identity). There is also an assassination attempt against retired senior MI5 officer David Cartwright (Jonathan Pryce), grandfather to slow horse River Cartwright (Jack Lowden), and the two events might just be connected. Slow Horses has already been renewed for more seasons and why not? It's just as taut, thrilling, sardonically humorous, and occasionally heartbreaking as ever, with no sign of flagging.Jennifer OuelletteLight Shop (Hulu) Credit: Hulu I'm not sure I've ever seen anything quite like Light Shop, an eerily haunting Korean horror mystery adapted from a popular webtoon by Kang Full. Ju Ji-Hoon stars as Jung Won-Young, the enigmatic owner of the titular light shop, located at the end of a foreboding dark alley. Various strangers are drawn to the light shop, perhaps because it's not just a place to purchase bulbs; it's also a nexus connecting the worlds of the living and the dead. Won-Young is able to discern which is whichand which of the lost souls that wander into his shop might just be trapped between the two worlds.There's the young man on a bus who keeps seeing the same mysterious woman sitting on the bench at his stop, until he finally invites her home and quickly realizes she's not what she seems. There's a screenwriter who moves into a new house and discovers that it might be haunted; a young schoolgirl who comes by the shop every day for her mother and yet never seems to buy any bulbs; a middle-aged man who wanders aimlessly through the alley weeping while soaking wet; and a sad silent woman in red high heels who morphs into an elongated shambling zombie-like figure in the dark.Fair warning: The first few episodes can be disorienting because it's so challenging to figure out what's going on. But the disparate threads of all the individual stories start to come together by the end of the fourth episode as we learn how the seemingly random strangers are connected, and the rest of the series brings it all home in a powerful finale that is equal parts horrifying and bittersweet. I don't know if Kang Full has more stories to tellI can see Light Shop working as an anthology seriesbut these eight episodes stand on their own as some truly innovative storytelling.Jennifer OuelletteBad Monkey (Apple TV+) Credit: Apple TV+ Based on Carl Hiaasen's 2013 novel of the same name, Bad Monkey is the perfect vehicle for Vince Vaughn's roguish motor-mouth charm. He plays Andrew Yancy, a demoted detective who now does restaurant inspections, until his friend (another detective) tells him about a severed arm recovered by a tourist in the waters of South Florida. So begins a wild caper involving insurance fraud, real estate developers, multiple murders, at least one faked death, and a bit of spooky Obeah voodoo for good measure, courtesy of the Dragon Queen (Jodie Turner-Smith).In other words, it's pretty much vintage Hiaasen and Bad Monkey is a particularly good adaptation. The characters and casting are perfection, especially Meredith Harper as Eve Stripling, who seems like your average shallow, manipulative, gold-digging beautyuntil you realize jut how ruthless she's prepared to be to get what she wants. Props also to Zach Braff as Izzy, who gets caught up in the fraud scheme and pays a heavy price, as well as Scott Glenn as Yancy's father, dishing laconic wisdom while fishing on a dock to anyone who cares to listen.Jennifer OuelletteA Man on the Inside (Netflix) Credit: Netflix For those who miss Ted Danson's endearing portrayal of Michael, the human-loving demon in The Good Place, we now have A Man on the Inside, created by Michael Schur (who also created The Good Place). Danson plays Charles Nieuwendyk, a very Michael-like recently widowed retired engineering professor who gets hired by a private detective to go undercover at a San Francisco retirement community. A ruby necklace has gone missing, and it's Charles's job to snoop around and ferret out the culprit.Once again, Schur has assembled a stellar cast of diverse characters, with crisp, whip-smart writing. The show is alternatively funny, sweet, sour, and touching, while never lapsing into schmaltzalthough we'll risk a bit of schmaltz to observe that the real meaning is not the mystery of the ruby necklace but the relationships and personal growth that occur along the way. At its heart, the show is about coming to terms with the grief and loneliness that so often comes with aging. Netflix just renewed A Man on the Inside for a second season, so we'll get to see what Charles gets up to on his next undercover assignment.Jennifer OuelletteFallout (Prime Video) Credit: Prime Video Amazon has had a rocky history with big, geeky properties making their way onto Prime Video. The Wheel of Time wasnt for everyone, and I have almost nothing good to say about The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power. Fallout broke that bad streak; as a video game adaptation, its right up there with The Last of Us. A specific cocktail of tongue-in-cheek humor, sci-fi campiness, strong themes, great characters, and visceral violence came together into a fantastic show.Fallout's violence can be sudden, brutal, and casual. Heads explode from shotgun blasts like popped bubbles in Cronenbergian splatters. Someones face gets ripped right off, and another person gets a fork plunged into their eyeball. Homages to the Bethesda games slow-motion kills are aplenty, with gratuitous shots of bullets tearing through bodies and painting the walls red. It's so over the top that it didnt bother me; its cartoon violence, ultimately, though a couple of instances of dog-related violence didnt feel too great. Of course, the games were like this, too. It just hits a little differently when its live action.The Fallout games are hilariousgoofy, even, and that tracks right into the show. Its not always as laugh-out-loud funny as I expected (though it sometimes is), but its definitely fun, and there are some strong jokes. Even the violence is hilarious if you have the stomach for it. You dont have to have played the games to appreciate the action or comedy in Fallout, but theres obviously a whole additional layer here for people whove been playing the games for years. Almost every shot includes something for fans of the games to recognize, from Nuka-Cola bottles to Assaultron robot frames to Vault Boy bobbleheads.I love the fact that this show focuses on three different characters in equal measure, each of them embodying a type of character a player of Fallout might create. Lucy is the do-gooder vault dweller, Maximus is the aspirant warrior, and The Ghoul is the wasteland rogue. Through those characters, the show captures the full range of the Fallout experience. What we see happen in the plot seems to naturally come from the characters' personalities, values, words, and actions.On their own, all those elements made for entertaining viewing, but there has always been more to Fallout: It has a point of view and strong themes in its satirical take on American culture. The TV series does those themes justice. But don't for a second think that Fallout's point of view relates to self-righteous moralizing. By the end of the season, you have at least one big reason to hate every faction, all of which are deeply flawed in their visions of what the world order should look like or how to achieve it.Samuel AxonAnd now, for our top TV pick of 2024:Shogun (FX/Hulu) Credit: FX/Hulu This sumptuous series is adapted from James Clavell's hugely influential 1975 epic novel of the same name. It's afictionalized account of the key players and events in 17th century feudal Japan that ultimately led to the naming of a new shgun (central ruler), Tokugawa Ieyasu, and the advent of the Edo period. Clavell's novel also includes a fictionalized version of an English navigator named William Adams, aka Miura Anjiin ("the pilot of Miura"), who was the first of his nation to reach Japan in 1600, eventually becoming a samurai and one of Tokugawa's key advisers.Cosmo Jarvis (Peaky Blinders, Raised by Wolves) stars as John Blackthorne (based on Adams) while Hiroyuki Sanada plays Toranaga (based on Tokugawa). Blackthorne finds himself embroiled in this hotbed of political intrigue when Toranaga takes a shine to him, envisioning a key role for the English pilot in Toranaga's own secret machinations. Caught between them is the alluring translator, Toda Mariko (Anna Sawai), who finds herself torn between her loyalty to Toranaga and her Catholic faithnot to mention a growing attraction to the foreign Anjin.The storytelling, the characters, the stellar performances, the expert pacing all contribute to the show's success. But it's also a visually stunning achievement that brings 17th century feudal Japan to vivid life, thanks to masterful visual effects that have been woven in so seamlessly, it can be challenging to distinguish between the CGI and the real footage. It's been described as "a Game of Thrones set in 17th century Japan," although calling it a 17th century Japanese Godfather also captures the essence of the series. Two more seasons are in development, and we'll be watching. But it was Clavell's timeless story and characters that make Shgun what it is; the showrunners have a massive challenge ahead to meet that highest of bars.Jennifer OuelletteJennifer OuelletteSenior WriterJennifer OuelletteSenior Writer Jennifer is a senior reporter at Ars Technica with a particular focus on where science meets culture, covering everything from physics and related interdisciplinary topics to her favorite films and TV series. Jennifer lives in Baltimore with her spouse, physicist Sean M. Carroll, and their two cats, Ariel and Caliban. 0 Comments

John Edwards, Technology Journalist & AuthorDecember 24, 20245 Min ReadBrain light via Alamy Stock PhotoArtificial intelligence is transforming virtually all aspects of social and business life. For better or worse, this includes political campaigns and elections.These are not the first elections where AI has been used, but they are the first with low-cost AI tools widely available, introducing a new element of uncertainty for campaigns and voters, observes Ann Skeet, senior director of leadership ethics at the Markkula Center for Applied Ethics at Santa Clara University, via email.AI is changing campaigns at a meteoric rate by providing politicians and their teams with advanced tools to shape public opinion, notes Sez Harmon, an AI policy analyst at the Responsible AI Institute. "Campaigns are using generative AI to personalize voter outreach, tailor speeches and marketing materials, create deepfakes of political opponents, and amplify election narratives." In an online interview, she states that AI tools can also be used for predictive analysis to assess where candidates should focus their advertising and fundraising efforts on campaign tours to sway voters in key jurisdictions.At a time when trust in the election process is rapidly diminishing, tools that blur the lines between reality and misinformation run the risk of eroding voter confidence even more, Skeet warns. "Voters need to bring an extra level of vigilance to their media and advertising consumption during this election cycle and build basic information literacy skills that will help them identify where political information is coming from, how it's vetted, edited and distributed, who's paying for it, and what tools are being used to create it."Related:Streamlining TasksAI tools can collate information and election resources at a speed and depth that's challenging for unassisted human political aides to match, Harmon says. "Some models are trained on years of political strategy data and media coverage, which would be arduous to parse by a team of human analysts." She adds that AI technology is particularly appealing to candidates struggling with tight budgets, since many tools are free or come with only a small licensing fee. "This makes them accessible to groups across the political spectrum."AI is transforming political campaigns by automating repetitive, time-consuming tasks, such as drafting emails, managing social media, and generating content, says Mike Nellis, a political strategist and founder and CEO of Authentic, a political fundraising and consulting firm. It's revolutionizing the way campaigns run in the most boring way imaginable, he notes via email. "These tools work behind the scenes, freeing-up staff to focus on more strategic and human-centered activities, like voter outreach and creative thinking."Related:Faster and EasierAI that streamlines campaign operations, such as fundraising and record-keeping, can improve efficiency and effectiveness, Skeet says. "AI used in political advertising can lower costs, stretching candidates campaign budgets further while allowing the development of targeted advertising that's more affordable." On the downside, using AI without disclosing its application can contribute to the erosion of voter trust and sow confusion amongst the electorate.Political campaigns are also turning to AI to prepare candidates ahead of election debates and speaking engagements, Harmon says. "GenAI platforms can be used to practice responses to hard-hitting political questions, give candidates role-play opportunities to field insults in the style of their opponents, and even provide advice on how to delicately address topics to maximize voter support."For content creation, a growing number of political campaigns now are using chatbots, recommendation engines, analytics platforms, and large language models (LLMs), Harmon says. "For example, campaigns are using AI tools like Polly, which scrapes social media data to predict election outcomes in different regions based on public sentiment."Related:Deception and DisengagementSkeet warns that AI can be used to deceive voters by generating misinformation and disinformation while reinforcing firmly held beliefs. "We have already seen negative applications of the technology to mislead voters and discourage them from voting."Deepfakes can be a particularly effective campaign method, since humans still struggle to discern synthetic media from live coverage and authentic content, Harmon says. "The advanced state of synthetic voice generation and video editing, along with the subtle manipulation of media through face swapping and lip syncing, has made this challenge more pronounced."Positive or Negative?While there are challenges, Nellis believes that AI's benefits in increased efficiency and reduced workload outweigh the negatives, especially when used thoughtfully. "It will reduce burnout by automating mundane tasks, which will help keep staff happier and more engaged, leading to better retention," he notes.Campaigns using AI should make prudent choices that keep them in compliance with existing federal election regulations against fraudulent misrepresentation or solicitation of funds, the use of AI-generated voices in robocalls, and copyright laws, Skeet says.Final ThoughtsOverall, AI is a positive development for political campaigns, Nellis says. "While there are challenges, the benefits of increased efficiency and reduced workloads outweigh the negatives, especially if AI is used thoughtfully."Harmon believes that AI-driven political campaigns are here to stay. "These tools are only as powerful as we make them, and setting limits is pivotal to upholding free and fair elections."About the AuthorJohn EdwardsTechnology Journalist & AuthorJohn Edwards is a veteran business technology journalist. His work has appeared in The New York Times, The Washington Post, and numerous business and technology publications, including Computerworld, CFO Magazine, IBM Data Management Magazine, RFID Journal, and Electronic Design. He has also written columns for The Economist's Business Intelligence Unit and PricewaterhouseCoopers' Communications Direct. John has authored several books on business technology topics. His work began appearing online as early as 1983. Throughout the 1980s and 90s, he wrote daily news and feature articles for both the CompuServe and Prodigy online services. His "Behind the Screens" commentaries made him the world's first known professional blogger.See more from John EdwardsNever Miss a Beat: Get a snapshot of the issues affecting the IT industry straight to your inbox.SIGN-UPYou May Also LikeWebinarsMore WebinarsReportsMore Reports

The battle for federal privacy regulation may have been lost, but the war is far from over.While political maneuvering derailed the latest push for nationwide legislation, the momentum for change is undeniable in the United States. Businesses and individuals want clear, unified standards with more than 80% of Americans supporting stricter federal data privacy and 20 states already passing data privacy laws.This growing patchwork of state regulations creates compliance challenges for businesses across borders while leaving millions of Americans with inconsistent protections. Eventually, federal lawmakers will have to step in and bridge the privacy divide.This interim period -- between todays fragmented landscape and tomorrows national framework -- presents a crucial window. Organizations should get ahead of regulations by enhancing data protection strategies, backing employee training, and deploying centralized management tools.The Long March Toward Data PrivacyThe year 2024 promised a breakthrough for federal privacy legislation. In April, bipartisan lawmakers introduced the American Privacy Rights Act (APRA), proposing robust limitations on corporate data collection. The bill offered users unprecedented control, providing rights to access and delete data, plus the ability to opt out of data broker sales. By June, however, momentum collapsed. Under pressure from conservative legislators, APRA was stripped of its civil rights protections and data minimization principles and ultimately failed to advance beyond committee.The bill is dead, but dont be mistaken. The push for privacy is just beginning. Were now the only G20 member without a comprehensive framework governing the collection and use of personal data. Americans from across the political spectrum, including record numbers of Republicans and Democrats -- are in support of federal rules, especially as artificial intelligence ingests our data in new ways. Heading into the new year, we need privacy guarantees more than ever.Expect more states to press forward and force the federal hand. For enterprises, this is a pivotal moment to start updating data handling for inevitable privacy changes on the horizon. The time for preparation isnt coming -- its here.Building Privacy-Ready OperationsEnterprises can predict core privacy requirements for personal data management, storage and sharing. And, using something like Europes General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) as a yardstick, consider the best way to anticipate compliance.For example, data management is crucial. Smart enterprises are moving now to establish clear data governance structures and appoint dedicated privacy leadership. A privacy champion or data protection officer becomes crucial in these internal overhauls. That is someone who can map your data ecosystem, build an incident response procedure, and connect technical requirements with business objectives. Most importantly, this leader must have both the authority to implement changes and direct access to executive decision makers.Further, employee training must be front and center. This means developing role-specific privacy protocols and ensuring teams understand not just the how but the why of data protection. Regular training sessions, practical scenarios and clear escalation paths are therefore vital.Finally, modern privacy demands intelligent solutions that can scale with requirements. Think automated compliance monitoring, unified endpoint management, and centralized platforms that streamline everything from access controls to incident response. These tools enhance privacy protection but also reduce operational overhead and minimize human error in data handling procedures.Its worth noting that privacy isnt a switch thats easily turned on and off. The GDPR rollout demonstrates this. European businesses continue to grapple with implementation challenges and costs nearly a decade later. We must learn from regions that have gone before us and not repeat those mistakes. Thiscalls forstarting early and carving out additional time for privacy upgrading, onboarding and troubleshooting.Whatever Happens Next, Prepare NowThe writings on the wall for federal privacy. Its simply not tenable for almost half the states having varying privacy thresholds and the other half with nothing. Our interconnected business and digital ecosystems need certainty and consistency across the country.Congress can and should stand up for American privacy. The good news? Recent history shows that sweeping reforms are possible. From the CHIPS and Science Act to major pandemic stimulus, lawmakers have shown their ability to meet moments with big regulations. While states deserve credit for filling the privacy void, federal action must follow.For now, theres no time to waste. Enterprises that build privacy-ready operations today will be better positioned to thrive under future regulations, maintain customer trust, and turn compliance into a competitive advantage. On the other hand, slow-to-move companies risk regulatory penalties and loss of customer confidence in an increasingly privacy-conscious marketplace.Future-forward organizations recognize that investing in privacy isnt just about compliance; its about building a sustainable competitive advantage in the data-driven economy. The choice is clear: invest in privacy now or play catch-up when federal mandates arrive.

In 2005, my husband and I decided to throw a white elephant party. We've kept the tradition and are celebrating our 20th white elephant party this year. I think planning ahead is the one big secret to hosting a party. In December 2005, the second Christmas my husband and I were married, we thought it'd be fun to have a few friends over for a white elephant party. The idea was a classic one, and the ambiance was as simple as you'd expect for a pair of 22-year-old newlywed hosts. About a dozen of our friends gathered at our condo for an exchange of ridiculous presents, a pan of boxed-mix brownies, and a few two liters of soda (complete with requisite red Solo cups). We all ended up laughing so hard over gifts that the next year, we decided to do it again, and then again, and then again. This December marks our 20th white elephant party. We gather with 50 peopleWhat began as a handful of new college grads "adulting" has evolved into a 50-person dinner event people tell us they look forward to all year long. Though we've classed things up with a fancy menu and a bigger, more tastefully decorated house, our gifting rule remains the same: bring the worst, funniest gift you can find. I've had this year's gift picked out for months, and no I'm not telling what it is. Putting on such a large holiday gathering for two decades has taught me a few things about gracious hosting. My goal every year is to create a white elephant party that's fun and memorable but doesn't take over my entire December. Though I still get a bit tense on the day of the event, I always end the evening feeling like my emotional cup is full. Here are some of my top tips for lower-stress holiday entertaining.I always plan aheadplanning ahead is the key to successful entertaining. If you want to host a party during the holiday season, set a date early and let invitees know. I mail paper invitations sometime in mid-November for a mid-to-late December party.Planning is also critical for details like food and party activities. Outline a menu a few weeks in advance or pin down a caterer who'll do it for you. Then, use the weeks leading up to a party to make and freeze food or give potluck assignments. I also feel some kind of planned activity always enhances a party. Eating and chit-chatting are all well and good, but group games or giving silly gifts make an event truly distinctive.I don't try to do it all myselfI'm a nutritionist and, admittedly, a bit of a perfectionist. In other words, it's tough for me to hand over the cooking reins to others. But I find I'm far less stressed when I don't do it all myself. My secret to feeding 50 people is a combination of homemade and purchased items. I'll snag a catered tray of Middle Eastern or Italian fare from a local restaurant, then supplement it with complementary homemade sides and desserts.I love mixing groups of friendsWorried that folks won't get along because of their politics or personalities? That's OK. Your friends are grown-ups. Trust them to be civil to each other. And this year in particular, don't be afraid to make a statement at the start of a party to the effect of "no politics tonight."I've personally witnessed that bringing different types together in a social setting often helps people humanize those "on the other side." Friends from different corners of my life have become real friends due to our annual white elephant. Make your home a space for people to come together to have fun despite their differences. Everyone will be better for it.I enjoy what I've createdMy favorite thing about our 20 years of white elephant parties isn't the decadent cheesecake I always make or even the hilarious-to-the-point-of-legend gifts. It's knowing that my husband and I have created memories of fun and friendship for the ones we love. Our party is the Christmas gift I give to our friends every year. It delights me every bit as much as I hope it delights them. In your own holiday entertaining, take a moment to appreciate the beauty of bringing people together to celebrate the season. I promise it's worth it.

US Navy submarines are key to countering China's naval expansion in the Indo-Pacific.China's military expansion includes a large navy, posing a threat to US naval dominance.US submarines, despite challenges, maintain an edge with advanced capabilities and strategic roles.The threat of a conflict with China has risen tremendously over the years. Beijing is undergoing some of the largest military expansion and modernization efforts since World War II, building a formidable arsenal of missiles able to threaten surface ships and massive naval force, but the US Navy still has the means to sink Beijing's dreams of supremacy in the Indo-Pacific.The US is looking to solutions like anti-ship missiles, but a key answer to China's expanding surface and logistics fleet that could number over 700 ships in a conflict is submarines. A Chinese Type 055 destroyer Photo by Artyom Ivanov\TASS via Getty Images Hunt and SinkThe US Navy would play a leading role in a potential conflict with China in the Indo-Pacific. This region's vast maritime domain is ideal for naval and air operations.China understands that, and Beijing has been investing heavily in its navy, the largest in the world according to the Pentagon. China has built three aircraft carriers with plans for more, possibly nuclear-capable flattops, new amphibious assault ships, and increasingly capable destroyers.Where there are surface warships, there is an opportunity for submarines, and undersea capabilities are an area where the US maintains a clear edge over China, even as it strengthens its force and invests in anti-submarine warfare solutions.An important role for the US submarine force in a conflict would be to hunt and sink Chinese warships and logistical vessels. Sailing routes around Taiwan and in the South China Sea would potentially be ideal hunting grounds for stealthy submarines like those operated by the US Navy.In a war game conducted last year by the Center for Strategic and International Studies simulating an intense fight over Taiwan, the think tank found that "submarines were able to enter the Chinese defensive zone and wreak havoc with the Chinese fleet," but it also found the number of subs available was insufficient, indicating a need to prioritize these capabilities. A Chinese dual-carrier exercise in the South China Sea. People's Liberation Army Attack submarines can be deadly for enemy shipping and change the course of a war. The Falklands War between Argentina and the United Kingdom in 1982 is a perfect recent example of the potential of submarines in a state-on-state conflict.During the war, the Argentine Navy transported men and weapon systems to the islands, creating a lifeline with mainland Argentina about 400 miles away. The Royal Navy went to war 8,000 miles away with six submarines leading the way, and they enforced an exclusion zone around the islands.When the need arose, HMS Conqueror, a nuclear-powered attack submarine, sunk the ARA General Belgrano battlecruiser, one of the largest warships in the Argentine fleet. The shock of the sinking and the potential for further attacks forced the Argentine Navy to withdraw from the area, thus allowing the British ground forces to land unopposed. The attack submarine USS Virginia departing Naval Submarine Base New London en route to Portsmouth Naval Shipyard in Kittery, Maine. US Navy photo/Petty Officer 1st Class Steven Myers Similarly, US submarines could help disrupt or destroy a Chinese amphibious force heading to Taiwan and limit the movements of the Chinese navy across the theater of operations.Submarines aren't unstoppable, though. Advances in anti-submarine warfare have made submarines increasingly vulnerable. For China's navy, ASW has been a growing priority to counter the American sub threat. Additionally, uncrewed undersea vehicles can also pose a threat and help detect prowling subs, as can underwater sensor systems like the US operates and China has looked to as added security.They can't stay under indefinitely without support. Munitions resupply US subs are powered by nuclear force, meaning they don't have to refuel is another challenge, especially in a high-intensity battlefield.And the US faces challenges maintaining its undersea advantage. A key priority in the Navy's fiscal year 2025 budget proposal was investment in the submarine industrial base.Submarine FleetThe US Navy has the largest and most advanced submarine force in the world, with 71 vessels and a lot of variety. And given the challenges from China, much of that capability is in the Pacific.The Navy's submarine fleet is comprised of attack, guided-missile, and ballistic-missile subs. The Los Angeles-class attack submarine USS Helena transiting the Atlantic Ocean. US Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Rafael Martie/Released Attack subs are the staple of any submarine fleet. Their job is to find and sink enemy ships. The three classes of attack subs in the US fleet (Virginia, Los Angeles, and Seawolf) can do this by sailing stealthily underwater and firing torpedoes and cruise missiles. The Navy has 53 attack subs.Guided-missile submarines support ground and naval forces by firing long-range munitions, but they can also sink enemy shipping via torpedoes. Each of the four Ohio-class guided-missile subs on the active fleet can pack over 150 Tomahawk cruise missiles.Finally, ballistic-missile submarines make up America's maritime arm of the nuclear triad. The 14 Ohio-class ballistic missile submarines carry 20 Trident II ballistic missiles with nuclear warheads each. Although the subs also pack torpedoes like their attack and guided-missile siblings, the main mission of ballistic-missile subs is to rain down destruction in the event of a nuclear conflict.

2024-12-24T12:34:40Z Read in app CHARLY TRIBALLEAU/AFP via Getty Images This story is available exclusively to Business Insider subscribers. Become an Insider and start reading now.Have an account? American Airlines says it is experiencing technical issues impacting all of its US flights, as airlines gear up for the Christmas travel rush.All the airline's flights across the US are currently grounded, the FAA said in an advisory statement."Your safety is our utmost priority. Once rectified we'll get you safely in the air and where you need to be," the airline said in response to one user who posted on X about the disruption.The issue is preventing the airline from calculating weight and balance requirements for its flights, Bloomberg reported Tuesday morning.This is a developing story. Thanks for signing up! Look out for your first newsletter with today's big story in your inbox soon.Thanks for signing up! Access your favorite topics in a personalized feed while you're on the go. American AirlinesClose iconTwo crossed lines that form an 'X'. It indicates a way to close an interaction, or dismiss a notification.

Its that time of year. As Future Perfect has in the past, were rounding up our most read stories of the year. This little trip down memory lane can give us a sense of the breadth and depth of Future Perfects coverage and a sense of what stories and subjects you, the audience, are most excited by.This years top 10 list features most of our classic subjects, like animal welfare and factory farming, represented by Marina Bolotnikovas piece on why Thanksgiving is exactly the right day to lose the turkey and go vegan. Our love of attempting to predict the future, as evidenced by our always popular forecast for the new year. And AI safety, as shown by Sigal Samuel and Kelsey Pipers newsbreaking exposs into OpenAI.But there were surprises on the list as well, like outside writers Gil Barndollar and Matthew C. Mais prescient warning that Americas military is running short of its most important component: soldiers. Or Dylan Matthewss fascinating deep dive into the little known State Department intelligence bureau that has a better track record than the CIA when it comes to predicting world events.This time of year, Im always grateful both for our amazing staff and slate of outside contributors, and for the attention of our audience especially those of you who subscribe to this newsletter (and the others weve launched this year: Marina and Kenny Torrellas Processing Meat and Sigals ethical advice column Your Mileage May Vary, which comes twice a month via this feed). Heres to a bigger and better 2025.1) Traveling this summer? Maybe dont let the airline scan your face by Sigal Samuel Ill reveal a little secret of the journalism biz: Timing matters. We published Sigals takedown of airport facial screening in the middle of the summers record-setting air travel season, as Americans took to the skies again now that Covid was more or less in the rearview mirror. Millions of those fliers probably allowed airlines to scan their faces without thinking, but as Sigal wrote, this is something you can opt out of and given privacy concerns, something you probably should opt out of. Keep that in mind this holiday season.2) Youre probably eating way too much protein by Kenny Torrella So I learned two things when this piece came out in January. One, very few of us actually need to hyperload on protein, unless youre an active bodybuilder. In fact, as Kenny wrote, even without trying the average American is already eating significantly more protein than dietary guidelines call for, thanks to our meat-heavy diets. And two, our readers have really, really strong opinions about nutritional science. Im not sure any other single piece this year generated so much feedback.3) Kate Middleton says she is cancer free. But why are she and so many young people getting sick? by Dylan Scott Heres another journalism lesson: If you happen to have a deeply reported story about a somewhat obscure health issue in this case, the rise of certain cancers among young people definitely make sure you push it out when one of the most famous figures in the world becomes part of that story. Dylan Scott, who was a great addition to Future Perfect this year as an editor and writer, brought a deep well of expertise in health reporting to this story on the rise of colorectal cancer in patients under 50. That it coincided in part with the happy news that the Princess of Wales was now cancer free helped it reach a much larger audience.4) 24 things we think will happen in 2024 by the Future Perfect staffYou people just love to read about what we think will happen in the year ahead. (A separate prediction piece that we did for Voxs 10th anniversary, on 10 things we think will happen over the next 10 years, was also popular.) Why is that? Id like to think this is because our audience has deep trust in our ability to analyze the trends that help make up the future, but maybe its just because you look forward to seeing all the wrong predictions we make. Well, good news! If you come back on December 30, you can see just how well (or badly) we did.5) Is oat milk unhealthy? Thats the wrong question. by Benji JonesBenj, who can usually be found trekking to colorful locations around the world to document the plight of biodiversity for Voxs climate section, popped over to Future Perfect in February to dismantle the case against oat milk. As Benji explained, foods shouldnt be classified through a simple dichotomy of good/bad. And we definitely shouldnt ignore the impact a food has on the environment or the animals we share it with and nondairy oat milk is a winner on both counts.6) America isnt ready for another war because it doesnt have the troops by Gil Barndollar and Matthew C. MaiOne of my goals in 2024 was to make the future of war a bigger part of Future Perfects coverage. Whether we like it or not and I do not conflict is on the rise, and the technology we use in war is changing rapidly. Thats why I was so happy to see this outside piece from Catholic University senior research fellow Gil Barndollar and Defense Priorities contributing fellow Matthew C. Mai earn such a wide readership. It connects two major trends demographic change and the rise of global conflict and shows how theyre intersecting in a way that is dangerous for the US.7) 8 million turkeys will be thrown in the trash this Thanksgiving by Marina BolotnikovaJournalism lesson No. 3: Never let a major holiday go by without capitalizing on audience interest. Factory farming stories over Thanksgiving have become something of a tradition for us, but Marinas piece was a real tour de force. She began with an unobjectionable premise Americans dont actually like turkey that much and developed it into a call to action for those who care about animal welfare to take back Thanksgiving. Sidesgiving, anyone? 8) Warren Buffetts breakup with the Gates Foundation will hurt the world by Kelsey PiperAt Future Perfect, we do our celebrity breakup news a little differently. There is surely delicious gossip behind multibillionaire philanthropist Warren Buffetts decision to not give away his fortune after his death to the Gates Foundation, as had been long planned. But Kelsey was much more concerned about what would be lost when Buffets $137 billion fortune goes to his three adult children, rather than to one of the most effective global health charities ever developed. As she put it: Three eccentrics have to agree on how to spend $135 billion sounds more like the premise for a sitcom than a process that will accomplish real good with that much money.9) The obscure federal intelligence bureau that got Vietnam, Iraq, and Ukraine right by Dylan MatthewsDylan Matthews is currently better known as the guy who started an endless round of discourse about whether its ethical to give money to rebuild Notre Dame instead of saving the lives of children. (It is not.) But I know that there is nothing Dylan likes better than to dig deep into an obscure part of the federal government and interview DC elders about what things were like in the old days. That side of Dylan came up with one of my favorite stories of 2024: a profile of the State Departments Bureau of Intelligence and Research, which has put far bigger and better funded intelligence agencies to shame with its oracular predictive powers.10) I lost trust: Why the OpenAI team in charge of safeguarding humanity imploded by Sigal Samuel and Leaked OpenAI documents reveal aggressive tactics toward former employees by Kelsey Piper Im cheating slightly by including two stories in one slot, but hey, Im the editor. The reality is these two stories are deeply connected, part of a series of investigative reports into ChatGPT-maker OpenAI that we put out in May. In the first, Sigal Samuel got former OpenAI employees to give her the inside story of how the AI startups superalignment team the people charged with keeping future superintelligence safe went kaput. In the second, Kelsey Piper received company documents showing that CEO Sam Altman wasnt being truthful about the way OpenAI was using the threat of blocking equity sales to keep former employees in line. These stories broke news and created real change in perhaps the most important AI company out there. Theres no better example of Future Perfects impact on the world in 2024. A version of this story originally appeared in the Future Perfect newsletter. Sign up here!Youve read 1 article in the last monthHere at Vox, we're unwavering in our commitment to covering the issues that matter most to you threats to democracy, immigration, reproductive rights, the environment, and the rising polarization across this country.Our mission is to provide clear, accessible journalism that empowers you to stay informed and engaged in shaping our world. By becoming a Vox Member, you directly strengthen our ability to deliver in-depth, independent reporting that drives meaningful change.We rely on readers like you join us.Swati SharmaVox Editor-in-ChiefSee More:

Amy Sedaris has a lovely apartment in the desirable Greenwich Village neighborhood of New York City, though she has often described it as a hutch. A rabbit hutch.Until recently, Sedaris, an actor, comedian, and author, lived with a bunny named Tina whos male, a fact she learned years after getting him. Tina had free rein of the apartment and, like the rabbits who lived there before him, chewed through her bedding, the couch, and some of her clothes.Honestly, I lived with him. It was not the other way around, Sedaris, who starred in Strangers With Candy, BoJack Horseman, and The Mandalorian, told me in an interview earlier this year. Known for her unconventional brand of comedy, its not surprising her pets are unconventional, too. Im a rabbit person, she said. Tina, who died in the fall, was one of a handful of rabbits Sedaris has cared for over the past three decades.But although Sedaris is often doing a bit, her interest in these animals is actually quite serious.She educates prospective bunny owners on rabbit care, she attends bunny conferences, she hosts fundraisers for the Humane Society, and she talks to people like me about why rabbits and other animals are worth our attention.Why did I talk to her? I often look for new ways to pull readers into conversations about wildlife and nature. One route can be through pets: If you develop love and respect for a pet rabbit, Sedaris said, perhaps that love and respect will spill over into other parts of the nonhuman world. And respect for wildlife much of which is in peril is the basis for conserving it.Our conversation, below, has been edited for length and clarity.Benji JonesWhen did you first bring animals into your life?Amy SedarisGrowing up we always had dogs and cats and fish and turtles. In the 80s, I had my own cats. And then in the 90s, I saw a rabbit in a window, and I was like, Im gonna go get that bunny rabbit. And I did. I was just struck by how beautiful it was the ears. I mean, youre used to seeing dogs and cats, but to see a bunny? I was mesmerized.Having animals in your life just gives you a better life.Benji JonesYouve since had other rabbits. What is it about these animals?Amy SedarisTheyre just the best. You have to really pay attention to them so you know when theyre in pain or if something goes wrong. Theyre the perfect little companions for me. They slept with me in bed; they came to me when I called. Theyre just delightful. Dogs freak me out because I do think they see into your soul. I do like dogs and cats but I have always felt loyal to rabbits. They have such strong personalities, and I can take it. Im like, Okay, you can be the boss. You want me to do this? You got it. You want to be pet right now? Absolutely. I liked being in that position with rabbits, because ultimately I was going to be the one with power. Benji JonesWho was your first rabbit?Amy SedarisTattletale was her name. She only lived to be 3 1/2 or 4. And then I got a rabbit named Dusty a year and a half later. Thats when I realized rabbits could be assholes and really bossy. Like, you really do live with them, not the other way around. A year later, I was walking by Petco and popped in and saw my latest rabbit, Tina, who just passed away on Halloween. I had him for 10 years. I found out four years after having him that he was actually a boy. It was my first male pet. It made sense when I found out he was a boy. Im like, of course youre a boy. You were kind of giving me male energy.Amy Sedaris appears alongside actor Daniel Henney at a gala in 2024 supporting the Humane Society. Charles Sykes/Invision for The Humane Society of the United States/AP Content ServicesBenji JonesWhat was your relationship with Tina like?Amy SedarisIt took Tina a couple of years to trust me. Normally, when you bring a rabbit home you first keep them in a cage. They can watch you and get to know you better, and then you can let them out. I didnt do that step. I immediately gave him the apartment. I was living with him in this big hutch. He had free range and thats why he was so bossy. He would jump on the furniture, jump on the bed. He would sleep with me, cuddle, especially toward the end of his life. He got really affectionate and would groom me. He was a really good communicator. He was a real charmer.Near Tinas last days, everybody came around and everybody helped me. I would tell people when theyre going to get any animal, the first step is to find the right vet for you, and then just surround yourself with a community of people that can help you when you need them.Benji JonesHow have rabbits shaped your life and your comedy? Amy SedarisI lived my life around Tinas schedule. It was always about date night with Tina. It was always about getting home. My agents are tired of hearing about Tina. I would be like, Tina is a senior bunny and I cant travel. And if I had to work long hours, I had a woman who would come by to check on Tina and just sit with him. He was a family member. People always asked about Tina, like when I did any talk show. I could just talk about Tina forever. I like the idea of making a prey animal feel safe. I like opposites in my career, like someone whos unattractive but she thinks shes pretty. And with rabbits, theyre always afraid theyre going to be eaten. So when they have their back to me, its the best. Also, knowing that you give them complete control. They tell you where they want the litter box; they tell you when theyre hungry. My dad used to say to me all the time, That damn rabbit is holding you hostage. Tina chewed me out of house and home. I havent had nice bedding for, what, 27 years from rabbits, because they chew the sheets. Benji JonesSometimes I look at my dog and Im just struck by the fact that hes a creature. Like not a human but a different species with no connection to the stressful day-to-day reality, and in some ways that brings me a sense of calm. Did you have that relationship with rabbits? Amy SedarisI did. You just tune into them. Rabbits just calm me down. You lay on the floor, they come into bed, they know your routine. I think having rabbits helped me really just stay in tune with something else, like somebody who needed me, that relied on me. I like having the responsibility and chores. You want a job you can bitch about. Like every day you have 20 minutes of chores. And I like meeting farmers to get the hay. I love talking to people on the phone about rabbits for hours. Or you go to the rabbit conference, and its funny because they say people look like their pets, and there are [people] there with buck teeth. Its like, this is hilarious.So that changed me. If I was an animal, Id be a rabbit.Benji JonesI think a lot of people struggle to engage in stories about wildlife declines or animals suffering. What does it take to pull more people into the conversation?Amy SedarisWell, its tough. Even at the Humane Society, when they show those videos [of animals suffering], its really hard to watch that. Or when youre watching a news station and that commercial comes on, youre like, Oh my god. People have a hard time. They think youre shoving it down their throats.But you know what, when the Covid pandemic happened, all these animals were coming out in nature. There were more fish in the stream, families of bears crossing the streets, because the traffic wasnt as heavy. Its just like, See! It could be like this all the time. We can live with animals and protect animals.Benji JonesWhat is your message for someone who doesnt feel connected to animals or the natural world? Amy SedarisHaving a relationship with an animal is one of the best things you can do.It really makes you see life in a whole other way. You can love something and it really opens up your heart so much. And the best thing you can do when you lose an animal is get another one. Its going to take me a while to get another [rabbit]. I think I just need to start living my life a little bit, but I know eventually I will, and thatll make me feel good.Youve read 1 article in the last monthHere at Vox, we're unwavering in our commitment to covering the issues that matter most to you threats to democracy, immigration, reproductive rights, the environment, and the rising polarization across this country.Our mission is to provide clear, accessible journalism that empowers you to stay informed and engaged in shaping our world. By becoming a Vox Member, you directly strengthen our ability to deliver in-depth, independent reporting that drives meaningful change.We rely on readers like you join us.Swati SharmaVox Editor-in-ChiefSee More:

There were some great games in 2024, but theres no question that the gaming industry had a very hard time in this latest dance around the sun, with mass layoffs hitting almost every major publisher and game studio. This year, we had several sequels in major franchises, remakes, and new titles from established developers. And yet, many of our favorites were from indie developers and designers who tried new things with classic genres. Here are Gizmodos picks for the years best games, in no particular order. Metaphor: Refantazio Studio/publisher: Studio Zero, Atlus The overt nature of fantasy lends itself to metaphor, which Team Zero made the main theme of its follow-up to its massively popular Persona series. Its a game about society, its issues, and the people who use fantasy not as an escape but as a method of imagining a better, fairer society. That message is incredibly timely, and Metaphor houses its themes in the best rendition of Persona gameplay yet. Its battles require more forethought than a game like Persona 5, but it balances it so you understand exactly why you lost. Available on: PS5, Xbox, PC Read more Best Buy Amazon Astro Bot Studio/publisher: Team Asobi, Sony Team Asobi took the PlayStation 5 mascot of mascots and made one of the best platformers of the 2020s. Its a Super Mario-inspired adventure through some truly imaginative levels where the mechanics dont stick around long enough to become boring. Plus, if youre a longtime Sony fan, the number of characters Astro Bot crams in will routinely set off recognition lights in your brain. Theres so much theming around Sony properties that you may assume Astro Bot is just an advertising blitz by Sony. Thats not to say it isnt, but its also an excellent platformer. Available on: PS5 Read more Best Buy Amazon Animal Well Studio/publisher: Billy Basso, Big Mode By his own account, indie developer Billy Basso spent seven years putting Animal Well together. It would have already been enough if all that time had been spent fine-tuning the excellent controls, the items, and the stage design. And yet, the near-inconceivable depth of Animal Well makes it so addicting, especially for a game that uses less than 1 GB of hard drive space. The first time you think youve seen everything, the game pulls out another 10 hours of content from out of nowhere. Available on: Switch, PS5, Xbox, PC Amazon Batman Arkham Shadow Studio/publisher: Camouflaj, Oculus Studios The Arkham series has laid dormant for years, but its return in VR is a surprisingly graceful way of translating the combat, stealth, and traversal of the Rocksteady classics into a more hands-on form. Batman Arkham Shadow can feel like a retread of those earlier titles, but its been long enough that punching thugs with your bare knuckles feels gratifying. The extra benefit is it is free for those who pick up a new Meta Quest 3 or Quest 3S, but its already a solid game in its own right. Available on: Meta Quest 3, Quest 3S Read more Amazon Best Buy Persona 3 Reload Studio/publisher: Atlus Persona 3 has had two iterations: its original PlayStation 2 launch plus the Persona 3 Portable edition on PSP. For those who missed their chance for both those games, Atlus brought back the fan-favorite JRPG with graphics and UI to match the more recent Persona 5. The game is still a deep dive into the nature of how humanity deals with, rejects, or comes to accept death. There are a host of small improvements made to the original 2006 title, so if you want to understand why theres still so much fondness for this specific entry in the Persona series, this is the most modern way to do so. Available on: PC, Xbox, PlayStation 5 Amazon Best Buy Tactical Breach Wizards Studio/publisher: Suspicious Developments If you were expecting Tactical Breach Wizards to be a combination of Rainbow Six and XCOM, think of it instead as Into the Breach meets Shadowrun, with a hefty dose of offbeat humor. The game delivers a quick-witted, intelligently designed, and often hilarious puzzler featuring a cast of misfit mages and reimagined fantasy stereotypes embroiled in an espionage thriller. Each level offers multiple ways to succeed, avoiding the common puzzle-game pitfall of being restricted to a single solution. Available on: PC Steam HellDivers 2 Studio/publisher: Arrowhead Game Studios, Sony The surprise multiplayer hit of 2024 captured players hearts with its blend of tight shooter gameplay, a fair live-service model, and a satirical sense of humor inspired by Paul Verhoevens 1997 film Starship Troopers. The game has maintained its player base largely engaged throughout the year. Even when balancing changes or minor missteps spark controversy, it remains the most entertaining multiplayer title of 2024. Available on: PS5, PC Read more Amazon Best Buy Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 Studio/publisher: Saber Interactive, Focus Entertainment Space Marine 2 is a repetitive, hack-and-slash game with an inane story and wooden characters that make up for it with its excellent minute-to-minute gameplay in an era of oppressive live service cash grabs. What helps the game stand out is its precise combat, which, on higher difficulties, emphasizes crowd management to make sure you dont get swarmed. Plus, theres a three-player co-op for the main campaign and the additional side missions. Available on: PS5, Xbox, PC Read more Amazon Best Buy Frostpunk 2 Studio/publisher: 11 Bit Studios The first Frostpunk challenged you to save a city, no matter the cost. Frostpunk 2 poses an even harder question: Is survival worth the price? Set in a bleak world, it explores the fragility of democracy when people are pushed to the brink of survival. The game is challenging, and its tutorial provides little guidance on how to succeed. Instead, it emphasizes a harsh truth: you can never make everyone happy. As the Steward, you must build districts, harvest food, and expand your city without plunging your society into chaos. Its an emotionally gripping city builder that pulls no punches. Available on: Mac, PC, Xbox, PS5 Steam Tetris Forever Studio/publisher: Digital Eclipse, Atari Tetris is timeless. If youve played one version, youve essentially played them all. But if you want to experience a substantial piece of Tetris history in one package, Tetris Forever is an excellent choice. It lets you play 15 different versions of Tetris and teaches you about the games fascinating history. Digital Eclipses latest playable documentary includes a brand-new Tetris Time Warp mode. For longtime fans and newcomers alike, Tetris Forever offers plenty of surprisesespecially if youre unfamiliar with the games storied inception. If youre interested in something more nostalgic, Nintendo recently released the classic NES and Game Boy versions of Tetris through Switch Online, albeit at an additional cost. Available on: Switch, PS5, PS4, Xbox, Xbox One, PC Read more Nintendo GOG Dragon Age: The Veilguard Studio/publisher: Bioware, Electronic Arts BioWares return to the world of Thedas didnt come without its share of tension. Though its combat can get repetitive and its story doesnt make much impact, Veilguard offers great characters and many beautiful locales to discover throughout its lengthy runtime. Its more streamlined and action-orientedmore like Dragon Age II than Dragon Age: Inquisitionbut it doesnt lose BioWares bread and butter: interesting and charming companions. Available on: PS5, Xbox, PC Read more Amazon Best Buy STALKER 2: Heart of Chernobyl Studio/publisher: GSC Game World STALKER 2 had a rough launch. My editor couldnt even get it to run on his PC without a sudden crash to the desktop. A few months later, the game still has its issues, but despite that, it offers an incredibly deep experience steeped in an oppressive, unforgiving atmosphere. The gameplay remains consistently intense, even if the gun sound effects feel underwhelming. This sequel truly shines in its polished sense of uneaseevery mission is drenched in tension. You quickly learn that no character can be trusted, and the best course of action is often to gain the upper hand in every encounterusually by shooting first and asking questions never. Available on: Xbox, PC Amazon Best Buy Hades II (Early Access) Studio/publisher: Supergiant Games Earlier this year, the lack of exciting titles made the arrival of Hades II a welcome relief, even in its Early Access state. As the sequel to Supergiants massively popular Hades, the game retains its core gameplay while introducing radical new weapons, abilities, and boons to mix and match. Its frenetic and often incredibly challenging, but the developers exceptional character design, writing, and voice acting turn returning after a failed run into a joy rather than a frustration. Available on: PC Steam Epic Games Store Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree Studio/publisher: FromSoftware, Bandai Namco The Elden Ring DLC, Shadow of the Erdtree, is so expansive that it feels like an entirely new game layered on top of FromSoftwares original masterpiece. With at least 30 hours of content to explore in a densely packed new area, it offers plenty to keep players engaged. While Elden Ring is already known for its difficulty, Shadow of the Erdtree takes endgame challenges to the extreme. Beyond its punishing nature, the DLC delivers more of what fans love about Elden Ring and some of the most unforgettable encounters FromSoftware has ever crafted. Available on: PS5, PS4, Xbox, PC Read more Amazon Best Buy Dragons Dogma II Studio/publisher: Capcom Theres something uniquely charming about an RPG as unapologetically janky as Dragons Dogma II. Its a game where you roam a sprawling open world, climb massive creatures, and pummel them into submission. Somehow, it blends MMO-style action RPG mechanics with the innovative pawns system and a single-player focus without collapsing under its own ambition. While the story isnt particularly compelling, the sheer scope of the game is undeniably impressiveso much so that its hard not to marvel that the developers at Capcom even managed to pull it off. Available on: PS5. Xbox, PC Amazon Best Buy Balatro Studio/publisher: LocalThunk, PlayStack Ill admit, I didnt understand why Balatro became such a massive breakout hit practically overnight. But after playing a few hands, I quickly realized just how simple, effective, and addictive the game can be. Its all about creating poker hands to achieve the highest score. The better the hand, the higher the scorebut the twist lies in the ability to modify your deck with extra cards or apply multipliers through Jokers, which might work better with two-of-a-kind or flushes of a certain suit. Its a straightforward game you can play anywhere, but it earns a spot on this list simply because the staff admits to playing it more than probably any other game here. Available on: Switch, PC, Xbox, PS5. Android, iOS, Mac Read more Amazon Best Buy Final Fantasy VII Rebirth Studio/publisher: Square Enix The installment of the Final Fantasy VII Remake, Rebirth, is more than an expansion of the first games systems or a nostalgic journey for fans of the 1997 original. While the refined action RPG mechanics in Rebirth are impressive, the exceptional world-building and character development truly make the remake resonate. Available on: PS5 Read more Amazon Best Buy Animal Crossing: Pocket Camp Complete Studio/publisher: Nintendo Cube, Nintendo The ultra-light mobile version of Animal Crossing is infinitely better without the predatory monetization of its original form. Although the game originally launched in 2017, it feels like a brand-new experience with seasonal events extending into the new year. Currently priced at $10 during this introductory period, the cost will increase to $20 after January. Available on: Android, iOS Google Play Store App Store