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Welcome to Thanks, I Love It, our series highlighting something onscreen we’re obsessed with this week.

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It’s been a big year for Lin-Manuel Miranda. He won an Emmy for the video-recording of his Broadway hit Hamilton. His other Broadway hit, In The Heights, was cheered by critics as a joyous movie musical. Then came his fantastic feature directorial debut with another Broadway musical adaptation, tick, tick…Boom! And he’s turned out not one, but two animated movie musicals. In Vivo, Miranda not only lent his voice to the eponymous kinkajou but also co-wrote its songs. Then, last but not least, came Encanto, a spectacular Disney musical in which he gets a story by credit and full credit for all its songs, silly, sweet, and sentimental. So, yeah. Big year. Yet in all of this, my absolute favorite Miranda creation of 2021 is hands down the crushing bop that is “Surface Pressure.” 

Encanto centers on the magical family Madrigal, where everyone except plucky protagonist Mirabel possesses a superpower. But as the third generation comes of age, cracks begin to appear in the facade of their enchanted casita, pushing Mirabel into an investigation into what’s dwindling their magic. She turns to her older sister Luisa, who is muscle-bound and mighty. But Mirabel’s simple question of “what’s wrong” pushes the strong big sister into a meltdown musical number, where Luisa admits her fears and vulnerability.  

Sung by Jessica Darrow, “Surface Pressure” begins with a series of affirmations. 

“I’m the strong one

I’m not nervous

I’m as tough as the crust of the earth is

I move mountains

I move churches

And I glow ’cause I know what my worth is”

But as the song moves on, Luisa crumbles, confessing: 

“Under the surface

I feel berserk as a tightrope walker in a three-ring circus

Under the surface

Was Hercules ever like ‘Yo, I don’t wanna fight Cerberus?’

Under the surface

I’m prеtty sure I’m worthless if I can’t be of sеrvice”

While enjoying the imaginative execution of this song, which illustrates the weight of the world that Luisa feels on her brawny shoulders, this last line hit me like a ton of bricks. She goes on to sing, deceptively coolly, of the “drip, drip, drip that’ll never stop.” (Woah.) She sings of the burden of responsibility in being the strong one, and in having to keep your shit together because it feels like everyone’s depending on you. So one little crack will bring the whole house down. And it made me break into tears. 

It’s a sentiment that’s connecting to women on TikTok, who have been using an audio excerpt of “Surface Pressure” to show how they relate to Luisa’s internal struggle. Over the song, some users include captions of anecdotes about carrying the emotional weight of being an older sister. Others lipsync to express how this kid’s movie went abruptly for our necks. The overall mood of this collection of videos is aptly summarized by elkomixx, whose post has the song play as she lays face down on the floor as above this caption looms, “When you realize this song isn’t actually trending and your FYP is just calling you out as an older sister with gifted kid burnout.” 

Yeah. That part. 

Turns out, Miranda wasn’t speaking for his own experience in the song. Instead, Luisa’s number is intended as a tribute to his big sister. 

He told Variety:

“I’m the baby of the family. I have a sister who’s six years older, and she got a raw deal. That song is my love letter and apology to my sister for having it easier. I watched my sister deal with the pressure of being the oldest and carrying burdens I never had to carry. I remember my parents woke my sister up to put together a He-Man playset for Christmas before I woke up. They wanted it to be fully assembled when I woke up on Christmas morning. I put all of that angst and all of those moments into Luisa.”

Bold, buff, beautiful, with a beguiling swagger, Luisa is tribute. She’s a dazzling vision of feminine strength, whether she’s swatting boulders with her hips or shouldering a drove of donkeys. But this song makes her messier, more complicated, more real, and thereby a terrific representation of what it means to be a big sister. 

Of course, there are joys in being an older sister. You get to watch your sibling grow up and be their confidante and their guide in the weirder aspects of the world. You get to do stuff first (and let’s be honest feel pretty smug about it). But you also feel this weight of being the one who’s supposed to set the example, be strong, or mature, or smart, or together, or whatever. It’s a pressure that can drip, drip, drip, fueled by responsibility, expectation, and even compliments. Because — as Luisa expresses — the gifts that define us can begin to feel like a trap. Like if we aren’t always strong, we’ve failed everyone. 

While there’s a lot of lovely songs in Encanto, there are none that hit harder than that. 

So, cheers to Luisa, to her real-life inspiration, and to every big sister who felt the wind knocked out of them by this supreme sucker punch of a song. And thanks for that, Lin. Really. 

Encanto is now playing in theaters; streaming on Disney+ Dec. 24.

Sealed Lips is Mashable’s series on pelvic pain, an experience rarely discussed but shockingly common.

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Tumbling into bed after a rare date night out with my partner should feel like an antidote to the monotony of days spent lying on the sofa in near constant pain. Instead, it almost always ends in tears. 

What’s valued as the epitome of pleasure, orgasms seem to trigger a flare up in my already sore body. As the clothes ripped off in haste lie scattered on the apartment floor, half drunk wine glasses sit stained by the sink, I lie awake for hours, writhing in pain, mourning the loss of another part of myself taken over by disease. Chronic illnesses, including endometriosis, rule my life. They dictate when I can enjoy myself and when I cannot. They’ve already taken away a lot from me — spontaneity, delicious meals, nights out, trips away, and yes, sex too.

Sex seems to be ubiquitous with pleasure. In the age of sex positivity, women and non binary folks are reasserting sexual desire as something they feel empowered about. So, where does that leave the people who want to have good sex but can’t? Those that have willing partners but still find pleasure physically hard to find?

I had undiagnosed pelvic pain for over 10 years before receiving an endometriosis diagnosis in January 2021. This was followed by invasive testing and abdominal surgery, with even more operations on the horizon. Two thirds of people who live with endo experience sexual dysfunction as a result, but there is a societal resistance to discussing sex when it intersects with chronic pain and an assumption those of us who are frequently unwell are not participating in acts of pleasure.   

Endometriosis is a chronic health condition affecting 1.5 million people in the UK, 6.5 million in the U.S. and WHO estimates 190 million women of ‘reproductive age’ are affected globally. Symptoms vary, and it occurs throughout the body, where cells similar to the lining of the uterus grow outside of it, often in the bowel, stomach, and pelvic areas. Despite how many people live with endometriosis, we do not know what causes it and doctors cannot find a cure. I have been cut open once already this year and less than six months later my pain is returning to pre-op levels. The only way to discover how many more lesions have grown is to be cut open again, and again, routinely, for the rest of my life.

For a disease that affects so many, it is chronically underdiagnosed and the average wait time for an official diagnosis after the onset of symptoms is eight years. Even with diagnosis, those living with the illness are often ignored, with some doctors still claiming pregnancy or birth control can be used as viable treatment options. The disease lacks research funding, like many other types of dyspareunia — the medical term for sexual pain — that affect people with vaginas, such as vaginismus and vulvodynia. Erectile dysfunction, affecting people with penises, has 1954 clinical trials currently published on PubMed, compared to 393 for dyspareunia. It is the historic disregard of female pain, under the assumption we will grin and bear it, that results in ongoing medical misogyny.

Tegan, a young non binary person who has lived with dyspareunia since they began having sex, says they feel frustrated with the lack of control they have, that their body won’t do what everyone else is doing. “You’re supposed to enjoy it. It hurts and I bleed every time,” they tell me. “I feel angry at my body, like something is wrong with me.” This idea of ‘normativity’ sees painful sex often not discussed. Instead, it is often a burden we carry alone, secrecy compounding feelings of shame. Journalist Lucia Osborne Crowley’s recent book, My Body Keeps Your Secrets, documents experiences of sexual violence that often have consequences in later intimate relationships, writing that “the most important gatekeeper of shame is our determination to not give people the words they need to speak freely about themselves.”  

For Ellie, it was painful sex that alerted her to discovering her endo — a common experience for those with it. She’s been with her partner throughout the diagnostic process and subsequent medical intervention. “My sex life was the main thing that was disrupted,” she says. The symptoms of the disease are varied, affecting our digestive systems, bowel movements, and hormonal cycles, but because Ellie, like many others, had the mirena coil — a type of intrauterine device — fitted, she said she wasn’t experiencing painful periods, often a hallmark symptom of endometriosis.  

Although I had severe pain prior to having a consistent sex life, it was my own bleeding during sex with a long term partner that finally convinced my GP to refer me to a specialist, uncovering my extensive endometriosis. It makes me wonder: Why was my pain not taken more seriously before I started bleeding during sex? 

I questioned Ness Cooper, a sexologist, on my own intimate woe. It’s something I thought I was entirely alone in until connecting with other endo sufferers — is it really possible that orgasming is triggering my endo flares? She demystified the experience I had been afraid to ask my doctor about. “There is scar tissue from the uterus’ lining in the pelvis and even vagina, vaginal contractions from orgasm could be the painful cause,” Cooper explains. “If the individual is experiencing muscle spasm, they may find that orgasm can trigger the spasm to set back in after orgasm and struggle to continue with penetration for a while afterwards.”

Ness also suggests a number of practical steps partners can try to make penetration enjoyable for all involved. She invites the use of foreplay in the form of massage: “a warm sensual massage with a body safe massage candle can help relax muscles that may be prone to spasms.” She also suggests laying on top of a heated pad or electric blanket, to provide some warmth and relief during sex.

The idea that penetrative (or penis in vagina) sex is the only legitimate way to have sex is rooted in heteronormativity. Megan, who has been in a long term relationship since her endometriosis diagnosis, praises her partner, saying, “Penetration was off the table for a while and my partner understood. We spent time trying to work on non-penetrative intimacy.” However, old habits die hard, and many people living with endo and struggling to enjoy penetrative sex are left feeling sexually deficient. Although there are plenty of other ways to find pleasure with a partner beyond penis in vagina sex, Tegan says, “Sometimes as someone with a vagina, I crave that intimacy of having someone inside me, which just isn’t possible at the moment.”

I asked the endo community what they’ve found useful through trial and error. Megan suggests a penetration bumper like the OhNut. The device works as a physical barrier that is worn on the penis, to prevent it inserting too deep into the vagina, which combats the deep pain associated with endo-related dyspareunia. It is made from a soft pliable polymer and comes as a stack of four rings that can be customised to suit the length you desire. Megan says it’s the best tool they found to make PV sex enjoyable, as it avoids hurting herself but allows her partner to enjoy a simulation of those deep sensations. Meanwhile, Tegan says getting comfortable using non-pentrative toys with new partner has helped them enjoy sex again, describing a clitoral stimulator toy as the best thing they’ve discovered. 

If you’re reading this and have a pain free pleasurable sex life, I’m stoked for you. Those of you who thought you were alone, whether you have endometriosis or any other pain condition, I want you all to know there is a community of us trying to make sex fun and talking about it a lot more too. This isn’t the end of that conversation.

SAVE 22%: The all-new Apple AirPods 3 are on sale for just $139.99 at Amazon. That’s $39.01 off their usual retail price of $179, which is $10 cheaper than their Cyber Weekend price.

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Congratulations to anyone who didn’t buy the Apple AirPods 3 when they went on sale for Black Friday: They just got even cheaper.

As of Dec. 10, the all-new wireless earbuds were listed for just $139.99 at Amazon. (The latter’s deal involves a sneaky extra savings coupon that’s applied at checkout — see below.) They typically retail for $179, so you’re saving $39.01; that’s $10 better than their Cyber Weekend price and the highest discount they’ve ever received since debuting in October.

For what it’s worth, we wouldn’t recommend these bad boys to someone who already owns a pair of AirPods Pro — while they look quite similar to those $250 ‘buds from 2019, they don’t offer any form of noise cancellation. Anyone who’s still clinging to a pair of 2019’s AirPods 2 can probably skip ’em, too, “unless you’ve worn out the old ones so much that the sound quality is shot or the battery doesn’t last very long,” says Mashable tech reporter Alex Perry. (You can read his full review here.)

It’s way easier to justify an upgrade from the OG AirPods from 2016: Aside from the more attractive design (which also boasts an IPX4 waterproof rating), the AirPods 3 feature more precise playback controls, an improved fit, and a boosted battery life of up to six hours per charge; that goes up to 30 hours if you factor in the included charging case.

Explore related content:

• Which wireless earbuds have the best sound? These are our top picks.

• Best noise-canceling headphones for blocking out the outside world

• Best headphones for iPhone owners: Think outside the (AirPods) box

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Welcome to AirFryDay, where — you guessed it —every Friday Mashable covers the latest trends, dispenses advice, and reviews recipes for your air fryer.

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There is no wrong way to eat a potato — it is a delicious food in most forms — but I think my favorite method for cooking them recently is to smash then roast them until they’re nice and crispy. Basically, you boil tiny potatoes in salty water, smoosh it flat on a sheet tray, then douse in oil and salt and roast at high temps. The final product should be salty and crispy potato pucks that retain a fluffy interior. Perfection.

So when I saw there was a similar recipe for Brussels sprouts circulating on TikTok, I knew it had to try it for AirFryDay. I love Brussels sprouts and the idea of a green veggie version of the potato recipe seemed promising.

The viral recipe came from Jackie Hartlaub on TikTok, otherwise known as @LowCardStateofMind. She’s a popular creator who — you guessed it — often cooks low-carb dishes.

Here are the basic steps and ingredients for the Brussels.

Ingredients

• Brussels sprouts — as many as your heart desires or can fit in your air fryer

• Spray oil or cooking spray

• Garlic salt

Directions

1. Cut the end of each Brussels sprout and remove the outer leaves that fall off easily.

2. Place the trimmed sprouts in a microwave safe bowl.

3. Pour a small amount of water — a few glugs, maybe three-quarters of a cup — into the bowl.

4. Cover the bowl with a microwave-safe plate then cook for four minutes. This steams the sprouts and softens them for smashing.

5. Remove the Brussels sprouts from the bowl. Using the bottom of the bowl, push down on each sprout, until it flattens into a disc. This should take minimal effort. Push too hard and you won’t have a neat end product.

6. Preheat your air fryer to 275 degrees Fahrenheit.

7. Load the sprout discs into the preheated air fryer. Spray heavily with oil and season well with garlic salt. Make sure both sides of each sprout are oiled and seasoned.

8. Cook one on side for 10 minutes, then flip and cook for 10 minutes more at 275 degrees.

9. Crank the heat up to 350 degrees — or even higher if you like — and air fry until the sprout discs are charred and crispy. Enjoy!

The Details

There are few things you should know before you take on this recipe. The first thing is this: You do not have to put in all this extra effort for delicious, crispy, Brussels sprouts. You can simply chop them in half, oil and salt the sprouts, then air fry at high temps. You will get nearly fool-proof, delicious results. But this recipe does add some novelty to air fried Brussels sprouts and it does create more surface area to the sprout that can get crispy. Here were my final results, for reference.

There’s also another small drawback to this recipe. Since the first step of the process is removing the outer leaves of the Brussels, you don’t get charred, loose leaves that are basically like crunchy Brussels chips. I love those. Oh well.

Otherwise, I’ve got to say, this is a viral TikTok that delivers on its promise. The steaming in the microwave and smashing could not have been easier. I thought I might need to really use some elbow grease to smoosh the sprout down but, surprisingly, I pressed on the bowl and bloop, I got a disc really easily. Here’s the process in action.

This process does mean, however you’re Brussels have a slight boiled/steamed taste and texture on the interior. I would say that it tastes bad but my preference is for whole thing to be roasted. It’s just a more pleasant taste, in my opinion, than the more funky, cabbage-forward taste of a half-boiled, half-steamed Brussels sprout you pre-cooked in the microwave.

But again, this smashed Brussels are neat and cool and give you a crips little puck you can eat with your hands if you so desired. Hartlaub dipped her sprouts in an aioli and that looked good as hell. You could even make these as a party app or a snack for your kid. You can’t really do that with a halved and roasted sprout.

One you get past the smashing, the cooking process is relatively straightforward. I suspect you could make these sprout discs in less time — I am impatient and often say screw it, we’re cooking with high heat — but using Hartlaub’s method you need roughly 34 minutes of active cooking time. Keep that in mind. You’re also going to need to do careful flipping after ten minutes, rather than your typical air fryer basket shake. Here’s what they looked like about halfway through.

I didn’t really flip my sprouts for the final 10 minutes of high-heat cooking. I left the topside of the Brussels facing upward and it turned out just fine.

All in the all, the verdict on this recipe is that it works, delivers on its promise, and gives you a tasty result. I think that’s because the air fryer is a perfect tool for cooking vegetables. The circulating hot air gives you great results no matter what.

I’ll probably make these suckers again, mostly because they’re pretty fun and don’t take too much effort. Do I think I’ll make it for a weeknight dinner when I have just 20 minutes to cook a side? Absolutely not. But say, maybe on a Friday night, you want a healthy, dip-able snack for happy hour — I think this recipe would be perfect.

The first trailer for Sonic the Hedgehog 2 just premiered at The Game Awards 2020, and it seems the speedy blue mammal hasn’t slowed down. However, some new characters might give him a run for his money.

Set after the events of 2020’s Sonic the Hedgehog, the sequel’s trailer shows Sonic (voiced by Ben Schwartz) causing restless havoc until Dr. Robotnik (Jim Carrey) and his upgraded moustache return in search of a powerful, potentially destructive emerald. However he isn’t alone, bringing with him Knuckles the Echidna (voiced by Idris Elba).

Fortunately Sonic has allies as well, the trailer also seeing the return of James Marsden as Sonic’s beleaguered friend Sheriff Wachowski, and the introduction of two-tailed fox Tails (voiced by Colleen O’Shaughnessey, reprising her role from the games).

Sonic the Hedgehog will cross the finish line on Apr. 8.

Apple has been more tight-lipped than usual about its plans for an electric and self-driving car, a secretive operation dubbed Project Titan. But that doesn’t mean we can’t imagine what the iPhone-maker would cook up for its first car.

Car leasing company Vanarama decided to take the Apple aesthetic from iPhones, MacBooks, and other products and combine that with real patents filed by Apple to concoct an imagined Apple Car. Their creation is entirely speculative, but it does rely on patent filings. Patents do not guarantee that a company is building something, but are a good indicator that they are researching something.

Last month Bloomberg reported that Apple is moving along with its electric car plans, and hoping to have something available as soon as 2025. The report said Apple is aiming for a bare interior without a steering wheel or pedals for a true self-driving experience.

While Vanarama (a British company, so the car is a right-hand driving system) still has a steering wheel in its renderings, it also envisions the seats fully rotating so that the interior transforms into a living room setup. 

Another patent discusses removing door pillars for a very open design.

There’s also a massive dashboard that has a very minimal design that Apple fans will find familiar. 

A crucial Apple design touch is Siri built into the car. You’ll notice the usual Siri screen built into the steering wheel. This is based on a patent for an “intelligent automated assistant.” It wouldn’t be an Apple car without Siri. 

And in case you didn’t catch on that this was an Apple car, there’s a glowing Apple logo (like the one on its laptops) in the center grille, and others spotted throughout the EV. There’s nothing in Apple’s patents suggesting they’ll include these, but given Apple’s affinity for its own logo the idea isn’t too far-fetched.

When the clock struck midnight on 2021, the year looked uncertain for many. But TV remained a constant and a comfort with continued lockdowns around the world, and the prospect of appointment TV, new shows from acclaimed artists, and a return to the Marvel Cinematic Universe gave us pockets of hope in the form of streaming. New and old shows put their best foot forward, giving us quality episodes we’ll be thinking about for a long time.

Here are the best TV episodes of 2021, ranked.

21. Foundation Season 1, episode 8 “The Missing Piece”

Foundation on Apple TV+ is a slow-moving, hard-thinking thrill ride from beginning to end. It’s not without its uneven moments, but one episode immediately rises above all the rest: “The Missing Piece.”

The series’ eighth episode sends Lee Pace’s Brother Day, the middle-aged emperor, off to the homeworld of a galaxy-spanning religious order, the Luminists. Day is there to win over the order’s leaders, thus ensuring their trillions of worshippers remain firmly on the side of the Empire. There’s just one hitch: An ideological rival to Day is gunning to lead the Luminists.

The only possible solution is a drastic one: Day must give up all of his tech-powered protections as Emperor, all of his supplies, all of his clothes even, and “walk the Spiral.” This grueling pilgrimage sends congregants on a lengthy and frequently deadly on-foot journey through harsh terrain. It takes them to a sacred cave containing a pool, Mother’s Womb, whose waters are said to reveal inner truths to those who immerse themselves. 

For most of an hour, we watch the typically stoic and imperious Day humbled as he joins Luminist congregants in their pilgrimage. It’s a brilliant performance from Pace, who almost single handedly owns the entire episode, and it’s a big pivot point in the story… though maybe not for the reasons you’d think. —Adam Rosenberg, Senior Entertainment Reporter

How to watch: Foundation is now streaming on Apple TV+.

20. Sweet Tooth Season 1 episode 1, “Out of the Deep Woods”

The premiere of Sweet Tooth will undoubtedly rank among the most harrowing —
and most memorable — episodes of television released this year. Our first foray into the fantastic world of Jeff Lemire’s beloved comic book series introduces its main characters through a heart-wrenching origin story. We meet hero Gus (Christian Convery) and his father (Will Forte) living in a secluded cabin against a backdrop of apocalyptic mayhem. That Gus is a deer-human hybrid is just one part of a sprawling mystery Gus, his traveling companion Tommy (Nonso Anozie), and Sweet Tooth audiences begin to suss out through the sprawling journey to come. 

It’s an episode of TV better left unspoiled, but one that I can safely say provides the emotional root for the entire first season of this captivating adaptation. Great performances and some particularly well-scripted narration help you dive head-first into this profound show you’re not likely to forget. — Alison Foreman, Entertainment Reporter

How to watch: Sweet Tooth is now streaming on Netflix.

19. WandaVision Season 1 episode 4, “We Interrupt This Program”

WandaVision was our first MCU release in over 18 months, and even then it didn’t go back to classic Marvel storytelling until episode 4. “We Interrupt This Program” put us right back in the world of the Infinity Saga, fresh after the Blip and facing its horrifying consequences. There is nothing quite like that feeling of returning to this story, and it’s monumental to do so with a Black woman in the lead. We reenter the story with Monica Rambeau (Teyonah Parris), snapped back into existence in a world descending into chaos. WandaVision leaves the perils of rebuilding post-Blip society to The Falcon and the Winter Soldier, so Monica recovers quickly and investigates the Westview Anomaly with FBI Agent Jimmy Woo (Randall Park).

With Parris as the de facto action hero lead (yes please), Park and Kat Dennings step in as the MCU’s new comedy dream team while all three of them collect intel about the Anomaly. As enjoyable as WandaVision’s sitcom shenanigans are, nothing hits quite like mysterious acronyms and government agencies and energy spikes that make Darcy’s instruments go whoa. This is the Marvel we knew meeting the Marvel we can know, and the interruption is now the main event. —Proma Khosla, Entertainment Reporter

How to watch: WandaVision is now streaming on Disney+.

18. Ted Lasso Season 2, episode 4 “Carol of the Bells”

If you’re one of the naysayers who thought Ted Lasso Season 2 was too cheerful, then the Christmas episode may have been the straw that broke your back. But if you’re one of the many who cling to this show’s heart like a goddamn life raft, “Carol of the Bells” was a literal gift. It leans joyfully into Ted’s ethos of rom-communism with nods to It’s a Wonderful Life, Love Actually, and more.

Ted (Jason Sudeikis) and Rebecca (Hannah Waddingham) bond while giving presents to children, while Higgins (Jeremy Swift) hosts the team for a delightful dinner that lets the show’s secondary cast shine. It establishes the team dynamic without feeling like an icebreaker, inviting us into the Richmond family as one of their own. Roy (Brett Goldstein) and Keeley’s (Juno Temple) “sexy Christmas” is derailed by young Phoebe (Elodie Blomfield), whose bad breath B-plot is some of the most unhinged hilarity this season has to offer. Give it a rewatch around the holidays and see if it doesn’t thaw your cold dead heart, you lil’ Scrooge. — P.K.

How to watch: Ted Lasso is now streaming on Apple TV+.

17. You Season 3, episode 8 “Swing and a Miss”

So much of the fun in You Season 3 comes from watching Joe (Penn Badgley) and Love (Victoria Pedretti) Quinn-Goldberg fight to save their shitty marriage. That precarious predicament hits its most spectacularly screwed up in “Swing and a Miss” — the season’s comedy-packed antepenultimate gem that delivers some of the series’ best beats while setting up its equally satisfying season finale. In the episode, Joe and Love try out swinging with Sherry (Shalita Grant) and Cary (Travis Van Winkle) Conrad. The insufferable, neighborly duo offer an unending well of humor, with their preening niceness grating against two people we know to be actual murders (but who are still pretty nervous in a group sex setting.)Then, when a spat between Joe and Love exposes their dark past to their guests, things go from silly and sexy to scary and suspenseful. It’s a remarkably fun tonal flip that helps charge up expectation for the next two episodes, and helps You Season 3 stick the landing. — A.F.

How to watch: You is now streaming on Netflix.

16. Invincible Season 1 episode 8, “Where I Really Come From”

It says a lot that people who read the comics and knew exactly what was coming were still shocked and emotionally brutalized by the events of Invincible‘s season finale, “Where I Really Come From.” After the first episode shocker moment where Omni Man strolls in and wipes out the Justice League-like Guardians of the Globe, viewers have wondered what the Viltrumite is really up to. Episode 8 finally brought those answers, both for us and for the would-be hero’s half-human/half-Viltrumite son, Mark. What we learned over the course of that devastating hour of TV will shape the course of Invincible‘s story for the rest of its existence. — A.R.

How to watch: Invincible is now streaming on Amazon Prime Video.

15. Master of None: Moments in Love, “Chapter 4”

Aziz Ansari and Alan Yang surprised everyone when they announced a third season of Master of None, nearly four years after a critically acclaimed Season 2 and expectations that there would be no more. Moments in Love may include Denise (Lena Waithe), but its connection to Master of None is barely in the story and entirely in the creative writing and production.

Over five episodes, Moments in Love speaks to us with long takes and heavy silence — never more than “Chapter 4,” when Alicia (Naomi Ackie) decides to pursue in vitro fertilization. Alicia is completely alone for most of the scenes, either physically in her apartment — FaceTiming her mother for the courage to start injections — or in a doctor’s office, receiving a phone call, carrying the incalculable emotional weight of her hopes and choices with each moment. Ackie is transcendent with every beat, the episode as much a showcase for her performance as for Ansari’s writing (he co-wrote the episode with Yang and Waithe). — P.K.

How to watch: Master of None: Moments in Love is now streaming on Netflix.

14. RuPaul’s Drag Race UK Season 2 episode 5, “The Ruruvision Song Contest”

“The RuRuvision Song Contest” isn’t just one of the best TV episodes of 2021. It’s also one of the best episodes of the entire Drag Race franchise. This was the first episode filmed after production paused for seven months due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and the contestants’ sheer joy at being able to see each other and compete again lends this entire episode a near-euphoric energy. Aside from the excitement that came with returning to the competition, this episode generated so many iconic moments. There was the entirety of the United Kingdolls’ performance of “UK, Hun?,” A’Whora and Sister Sister’s matching runway looks, and, of course, RuPaul’s bizarre rant about Joe Black wearing an H&M dress. All in all, it’s a perfect episode of reality TV bolstered by a talented and charismatic cast. It’ll have you singing “bing, bang, bong” all day long. — Belen Edwards, Entertainment Fellow

How to watch: RuPaul’s Drag Race UK is now streaming on WOW Presents Plus.

13. Infinity Train Season 4 episode 1, “The Twin Tapes”

The opening episode of Infinity Train’s final season is a masterwork in establishing characters and their relationships. It introduces the season’s protagonists, Ryan (Sekai Murashige) and Min-Gi (Johnny Young), exploring their friendship, the creation of their band, and their falling out. The episode’s most moving sequence plays out in split-screen, with Ryan and Min-Gi trying to navigate life without each other. It’s the perfect device to open a season focusing on the rift between these two characters, all cleverly framed within the universe of the Infinity Train. — B.E.

How to watch: Infinity Train is now streaming on HBO Max.

12. Succession Season 3, episode 8: “Chiantishire”

Yikes! Even by Succession dark tragicomedy standards, the penultimate episode of the third season, scripted by creator Jesse Armstrong, is a doozy. While attending a wedding weekend in Italy, each character hits a dramatic personal low point that, while cringey to watch for those of who suffer from secondhand embarrassment, allows the incredible acting and writing to shine. Standouts here include a nasty heart to heart between Shiv (Sarah Snook) and Tom (Matthew MacFayden, who should win an Emmy for this); a pathetic proposal by Connor; a damning sext from Roman (Kieran Culkin); and of course a new absolute rock bottom for Kendall (Jeremy Strong). The show spun pleasantly earlier in the season but here, it all comes together in a symphony of nasty chaos. It’s ruthless, and sets up a finale that is sure to, somehow, make us feel a tiny bit sorry for these incredibly privileged, deeply clueless people. — Erin Strecker, Entertainment Editor

How to watch: Succession is now streaming on HBO Max.

11. Pose Season 3 episodes 7–8, “Series Finale Pt I, II”

For three seasons, Pose has broken ground for representation of queer and trans people of color on TV while upholding a standard of storytelling that bridged the gap between historical reality and beautiful fantasy. There was almost no doubt that this show would stick its landing, but how well it actually stuck is remarkable. The double-length Pose finale delivered a poignant examination of medical racism regarding the HIV/AIDS crisis, captured the bittersweet relief of finally producing effective antiretroviral therapies, and gave each of its characters a sendoff — sometimes literally — that encapsulated their importance to the world of ballroom. Pose has always been a show unafraid to show America’s ugly history, but the story was always about the beauty of family and the legacies we leave behind. — Alexis Nedd, Senior Entertainment Reporter

How to watch: Pose Season 3 s available for purchase on iTunes, Amazon Prime, and more.

10. Mythic Quest Season 2 episodes 6-7, “Backstory” and “Peter”

The real magic of Mythic Quest lies in the way the show weaponizes perspective and context to make the most seemingly detestable character a lovable and sympathetic figure. Episodes 6 and 7 of Season 2 took us on that journey with C.W. Longbottom, charting the “Mythic Quest” game writer’s path from an unassuming and starry-eyed wannabe sci-fi author to the bitter, heavy-drinking lech who always seems to be operating a few steps out of his element at the game studio. Much like Season 1’s brutal-yet-heartfelt journey through twin relationships in “Dark Quiet Death,” “Backstory” and its follow-up “Peter” in Season 2 will leave you clutching a wad of tissues and wondering how Mythic Quest, this silly show about ridiculous things, manages to be so incredibly, consistently devastating. — A.R.

How to watch: Mythic Quest is now streaming on Apple TV+.

9. The Other Two Season 2, episode 5: “Chase Gets Baptized”

The Other Two‘s “Chase Gets Baptized” is a stand out episode in a season full of stand outs. Cary (Drew Tarver), Brooke (Heléne Yorke), and their young popstar brother Chase (Case Walker) are baptized into ChristSong, a church that’s perfect for celebrity networking — and that bears a striking resemblance to real-life Hillsong. Horror dawns as Cary and Brooke realize that the cult-like church is “anti-gay and anti-woman.”

What ensues is a tightly-contained odyssey through New York’s Soho house as the Dubek siblings try to justify staying in the church for its perks despite its problematic ideas. “Chase Gets Baptized” is focused, incisive, and surprisingly poignant: Cary, whose relationship with religion has always been complicated, continues to embrace his sexuality, while Brooke’s manager burnout intensifies. This being The Other Two, the episode is full of killer gags, like the infectious worship song “Jesus Slays.” Plus, Cary and Brooke are in bathrobes almost the entire time, heightening the episode’s ridiculousness and cult-inspired imagery. —B.E.

How to watch: The Other Two is now streaming on HBO Max.

8. Mare of Easttown Season 1 episode 5, “Illusions”

As far as crime dramas go, Mare of Easttown can twist and turn with the best of them. Throughout the seven-part limited series, Kate Winslet’s steely lead detective weathered countless shocking revelations as she investigated a brutal homicide of a teen girl and two missing persons cases. Of course, no developments were quite as devastating as the explosive series of events captured in episode 5. 

Titled “Illusions,” this was the Mare of Easttown episode that not only saw police finally answer one of the show’s most burning whodunnits, but also stunned audiences with the death of a beloved major character. On the off chance you haven’t seen the show yet, I won’t say more. But if you’re anything like me, you’ll remember where you were when you watched this top-tier episode for the rest of your TV-watching days. — A.F.

How to watch: Mare of Easttown is now streaming on HBO Max.

7. Yellowjackets Season 1, episode 2 “F Sharp”

In survival thrillers, there are sometimes dozens of moments when things go from bad to worse. It helps clarify the conflict and build tension by demonstrating what’s at stake. Still, when Yellowjackets’ unleashed Misty on that GPS tracker in “F Sharp,” I saw stars. Showtime’s thrilling story of a championship girls’ soccer team fighting to get back home after a devastating plane crash has lots of interesting moments. Misty Quigley deciding she wanted to stay stranded just a little longer, and then destroying a device that might help her and her friends get found, may be its best so far. (We’re not done with the season, yet!) This episode saw the Yellowjackets coping immediately after the plane crash, and it was bad. Like bloody corpses falling out of trees bad. And yet, Misty made the interesting move anyway. It’s a final knife twist in an episode full of gutsy moments and a show that always goes there. — A.F.

How to watch: Yellowjackets is now streaming on Showtime and on Hulu or Amazon via add-on. The first episode is available for free.

6. Pen15 Season 2, Episode 15 (finale): “Home”

Over its two short seasons, Pen15‘s central gag of creators Anna Konkle and Maya Erskine playing fictionalized versions of themselves in 7th grade stopped being a gag. It became an emotional imperative for those who grew up in the sartorially undignified early 2000s to put their adult selves back in their pre-teen selves’ shoes. It forced people to look, really look at what it was like to be that age at that time, and more importantly reminded them that no one can go back and change their past, no matter how cringey it was. 

The series finale of Pen15, “Home,” is the most emotionally devastating episode the show has produced. It’s a damning indictment of what the social circumstances of the early 2000s did to girls thats difficult to watch and devastating in its simplicity. Pen15 stuck the landing of a funny, complicated, cringeworthy television moment by capturing the optimism and uncertainty of girlhood — as well as the all-encompassing importance of middle school BFFs. — A.N.

How to watch: Pen15 is now streaming on Hulu.

5. What If…Season 1, Episode 2: “What if T’Challa Became a Star-Lord?”

Marvel’s What If…? was an entertaining break from the constant connectivity and conspiracy theories of the greater MCU. The animated series kicked off strong by exploring the multiversal possibilities of Peggy Carter getting the super soldier serum, but the show’s most affecting story arrived in Episode 2, “What If T’Challa Became A Star-Lord?” Even though the late Chadwick Boseman voiced T’Challa several other times throughout the season, hearing him perform the role for the first time since Avengers: Endgame and his untimely passing felt especially profound. 

Episode 2 of What If…? stood out because it, more than the other episodes in the season, proved the value of its central character’s heart and imagined their impact on the universe going beyond what they could have accomplished on earth. T’Challa’s curiosity, compassion, intelligence, and sense of humor translated perfectly to his new role as a charming space outlaw, and each small reveal of T’Challa’s impact on his universe hinted at the purity of his heroism. —A.N.

How to watch: What If…? is now streaming on Disney+.

4. Heels Season 1, episode 5 “Swerve”

Michael Waldron’s family wrestling drama had no right to basically beat up our hearts, but it did and we are better for it. Episode 5 is the best of everything Heels had to offer; high-stakes wrestling that goes off-script, the rise of Crystal (Kelli Berglund) and Bobby (Trey Tucker), and Wild Bill (Chris Bauer) playing master manipulator behind the scenes.

Each story plays expertly into the others while establishing stakes for the DWL; what it was, what it could be, and what’s rotten within it. Steven Amell’s Jack grounds the episode as usual, but we see the limits of his control over brother Ace (Alexander Ludwig), whose volatile temper roils to a pitch for the shocking climax. This is the episode when, if someone tells you “it’s just wrestling” you might just wrestle them to the ground for disrespecting kayfabe, Duffy, and the enormous heart of this show. — P.K.

How to watch: Heels is now streaming on STARZ and Amazon or Hulu via add on.

3. The Underground Railroad Season 1 episode 9, “Indiana Winter”

The finale of The Underground Railroad functioned as more of an epilogue to the rest of the season, with the climax of Cora’s journey arriving in episode 9, “Indiana Winter.” There is a sense of catharsis in this episode as Cora eases into life on Valentine Farm and begins to shed her fears of intimacy and capture, but as in Colson Whitehead’s novel, her peace doesn’t last for long. “Indiana Winter” is the show’s final, damning condemnation of white supremacy as powerful men rain down their final judgement on the existence of Valentine Farm and bring Cora to a harrowing confrontation with Ridgeway, which ends exactly as The Underground Railroad begins — falling in slow motion into darkness. — A.N.

How to watch: The Underground Railroad is now streaming on Amazon Prime.

2. Only Murders In The Building Season 1, Episode 7: “The Boy From 6B”

The “silent episode” is a gimmick that, to be fair, usually results in outstanding episodes of television but has cropped up on many, many shows. Leave it to Only Murders In The Building to elevate the concept beyond a gimmick with that excellent Season 1 episode “The Boy From 6B.” The titular boy is Theo Dimas, the deaf son of the OMITB crew’s main suspect in the murder of Tim Kono, and the lack of verbal dialogue comes about as a result of finally seeing the Arconia and its residents from his perspective. 

Theo’s perspective always comes first in “The Boy From 6B,” with the directorial style and sound design outlining how he sees the world. Tight shots of other characters’ faces draw attention to the lips Theo reads, and other shots are framed to show what does and does not pull his focus at key moments. Deaf actor James Caverly expertly follows Theo’s character from the innocently lonely teen he was in flashbacks to the sneaky menace he grew into, making “The Boy From 6B” “a glimpse into a TV landscape where creatives with disabilities have more opportunities to portray their own experiences.” — A.N.

How to watch: Only Murders in the Building is now streaming on Hulu.

1. Squid Game Season 1, episode 6 “Gganbu”

Squid Game had the entire world talking, but in a show full of violence and spectacle, the show’s finest hour was deeply intimate. After a brutal game of tug-of-war, the remaining players pair off for a mystery round that ends up pitting them against their partners. A relentlessly emotional real-time hour pits Gi-Hun (Lee Jung-jae) against Il-nam (Oh Yeong-su), Sang-Woo (Park Hae-soo) against Abdul (Anupam Tripathi), and Sae-byuk (HoYeon Jung) against Ji-yeong (Lee Yoo-Mi).

We watch in horror and heartbreak as the clock ticks on toward each player inevitably beating or tricking their partner, with only one walking away physically unharmed (but otherwise profoundly scarred). Gi-hun and the old man’s story stands out thanks to Lee and Oh’s performances and a bond that goes back to the first episode. Il-nam calls Gi-Hun “gganbu,” a bond he interprets as transcending even their brief friendship. If only it were as simple as Il-nam’s childhood memories. — P.K.

How to watch: Squid Game is now streaming on Netflix.

The “It’s an avocado! Thanks!” kid might make it look easy, but finding the perfect gift for a kid requires attention to detail — and an ear for their reactions to various toy commercials.

Kids can be particular. The things kids like change not just with age, but also with evolving trends from TV shows and new technology… and TikTok. If parents are lucky enough, their kid will provide a long list of the precise items they’d like as gifts — but sometimes, it can be as much of a crapshoot as gifting to someone else’s kid.

Instead of buying yet another gift card or random stuffed animal, here are some tips on how to gift to children of all ages.

What to get for a toddler

Everyone is familiar with the “terrible twos” rep that the not-a-baby-but-not-yet-an-independent-kid stage of development gets. At this age, kids are bouncing constantly between the desire to explore on their own and the reliance on parents for most basic needs like eating, getting dressed, or going to the bathroom. That’s a lot of frustrating emotions to go through in a day. Kitchen play sets, toys that involve different motor skills, and anything with music are gifts that aren’t just distractions, but gifts that let the toddler feel in charge without too much assistance from a parent.

What to get for elementary and middle school kids

Potentially a more daunting phase than the terrible twos: the one where the pressure to be cool is relentless. This is that age. Though “cool” can lend itself to multiple interpretations, gifts that contribute to a kid’s evolving critical thinking skills and sense of independence, responsibility, and style are all smart ideas. These could be anything from STEM toys to beginner’s makeup tools to a fitness tracker or a pretend pet that encourages routine-making. Anything that involves an app or a tablet is also a guaranteed win.

What to get for teenagers

Finding a gift that a teenager will think is cool (and that will be on-trend for longer than a few months) might be some of the trickiest shopping you’ll do all year. They’ll probably offer up a few big softball suggestions, but if you’re going the surprise route, remember that they care about brands. Thanks to social media influencers promoting products directly to teens on Instagram, Gen Z kids are loyal to very specific brands of tech, accessories, and even water bottles.

Here are the best gifts for kids of all ages in 2021.

This footage allows us to look through the “eyes” of Tesla’s autopilot tech.

The self-driving feature is quite capable and offers some impressive object detection technology, but it’s still not completely problem-free.

This controllable robotic arm is so sensitive and precise that you can use it to play Jenga — but it was really designed to let people do more dangerous tasks that require the same kind of careful tactile response.