deerstalker

https://nerdist.com/article/star-trek-discovery-series-finale-epilogue-reveals-the-fate-of-captain-burnham/

Spoiler Alert

After five seasons and 65 episodes, Star Trek: Discovery has landed in dry dock. The first ever Star Trek streaming series has released its final episode, “Life, Itself.” And the finale has a coda that ties off the journey of Captain Michael Burnham (Sonequa Martin-Green). What a journey it has been. In the first episode, set in the 23rd century, Burnham (Spock’s adopted sister) is a mutineer whose actions landed her in the Starfleet prison. She joins Discovery‘s crew, and serves under several captains. Then, after time-traveling 900 years into the future, Michael Burnham becomes the Captain of Discovery herself. And now, we see where her life takes her decades later.

Captain Michael Burnham (Sonequa Martin Green) in the final season of Discovery.
Paramount+

Michael Burnham met the man who would be the love of her life, the Kwejian Cleveland Booker (David Ajala), when she arrived in the 32nd Century. This was at the start of season three. The two became partners when Burnham became stranded in this strange future. She became a space courier with Booker, or “Book” for short. Eventually, they became romantically involved, even after she became Captain of Discovery. Over the course of the last three seasons, the pair had their ups and downs. They even split up for a time. But in the series finale, the two recommitted their love for one another. This was at the wedding of Captain Saru (Doug Jones) and the Vulcan President T’Rina (Tara Rosling).

Admiral Burnham Is Married to Booker, and They Have an Adult Son in Starfleet

The Star Trek: Discovery coda shows the Burnham family, including Michael and Book's son Captain Leto.
Paramount+

Then, Star Trek: Discovery drops a bombshell on us. We flash forward decades into the future. We see that Burnham and Booker are now married, living in a country home on a remote alien planet. As Michael wakes up to get her morning coffee, Book follows her, and in their conversation, it’s revealed that today is a big day for her. She’s now Admiral Burnham, and a shuttle is coming to take her to a special ceremony. When the shuttle arrives, a young man beams down, played by Sawandi Wilson. He reveals himself as the son of Burnham and Booker. He’s also in Starfleet, and is about to get his own command and starship. He appears as “Captain Leto” in the credits, although they never refer to him by name. He looks about thirty, meaning she and Booker have been married for at least three decades or more in these scenes.

Michael Burnham Takes Command of Discovery One Last Time

Admiral Michael Burnham (Sonequa Martin-Green) takes command of Discovery for a final mission in the series finale.
Paramount+

Booker stays behind on the alien world, and mother and son go to Starfleet HQ together. In typical Trek fashion, they have a new uniform design. They talk together on the shuttle about Burnham’s friend Tilly, who is now the longest-tenured instructor at Starfleet Academy. We don’t really find out what became of the rest of Discovery’s crew, although we see a montage of them together in younger days. Once they get to Starfleet HQ, we see that they are reverting Discovery to its original 23rd-century mode, with the letter “A” removed from its registry number.

The Discovery crew in flashback in the series finale.
Paramount+

Michael Burnham beams aboard Discovery, now an empty ghost vessel, and talks to Zora, Discovery’s sentient AI system. They embark on one final mission together. It’s a secret “Red Directive” mission, where Discovery will await a ship of unknown origin for a thousand years. Upon reaching the coordinates, Burnham will disembark, while Zora awaits the mysterious vessel. Zora realizes that after this mission, she and Burnham won’t ever see each other again. Burnham says her famous catchphrase one last time as they go to warp — “Let’s fly.”

Will Michael Burnham Return in Star Trek: Starfleet Academy?

Admiral Michael Burnham (Sonequa Martin-Green) in the flash forwards of the Star Trek: Discovery finale.
Paramount+

Will we follow up on this future version of Michael Burnham? It depends on exactly when the new Starfleet Academy series takes place. It might happen concurrently with the elder Michael Burnham we see in the Discovery epilogue. What we do know is that after many hardships, Admiral Michael Burnham led a fulfilled and fruitful life, something she could never have foreseen for herself in the series’ original episode, when she was an outcast mutineer, shunned by almost every member of Starfleet. Admiral Michael Burnham has had a journey unlike any Starfleet commander, or Star Trek series lead, before her.

The post STAR TREK: DISCOVERY Series Finale Epilogue Reveals the Fate of Captain Burnham appeared first on Nerdist.

May 30, 2024

STAR TREK: DISCOVERY Series Finale Epilogue Reveals the Fate of Captain Burnham

https://nerdist.com/article/star-trek-discovery-series-finale-epilogue-reveals-the-fate-of-captain-burnham/

Spoiler Alert

After five seasons and 65 episodes, Star Trek: Discovery has landed in dry dock. The first ever Star Trek streaming series has released its final episode, “Life, Itself.” And the finale has a coda that ties off the journey of Captain Michael Burnham (Sonequa Martin-Green). What a journey it has been. In the first episode, set in the 23rd century, Burnham (Spock’s adopted sister) is a mutineer whose actions landed her in the Starfleet prison. She joins Discovery‘s crew, and serves under several captains. Then, after time-traveling 900 years into the future, Michael Burnham becomes the Captain of Discovery herself. And now, we see where her life takes her decades later.

Captain Michael Burnham (Sonequa Martin Green) in the final season of Discovery.
Paramount+

Michael Burnham met the man who would be the love of her life, the Kwejian Cleveland Booker (David Ajala), when she arrived in the 32nd Century. This was at the start of season three. The two became partners when Burnham became stranded in this strange future. She became a space courier with Booker, or “Book” for short. Eventually, they became romantically involved, even after she became Captain of Discovery. Over the course of the last three seasons, the pair had their ups and downs. They even split up for a time. But in the series finale, the two recommitted their love for one another. This was at the wedding of Captain Saru (Doug Jones) and the Vulcan President T’Rina (Tara Rosling).

Admiral Burnham Is Married to Booker, and They Have an Adult Son in Starfleet

The Star Trek: Discovery coda shows the Burnham family, including Michael and Book's son Captain Leto.
Paramount+

Then, Star Trek: Discovery drops a bombshell on us. We flash forward decades into the future. We see that Burnham and Booker are now married, living in a country home on a remote alien planet. As Michael wakes up to get her morning coffee, Book follows her, and in their conversation, it’s revealed that today is a big day for her. She’s now Admiral Burnham, and a shuttle is coming to take her to a special ceremony. When the shuttle arrives, a young man beams down, played by Sawandi Wilson. He reveals himself as the son of Burnham and Booker. He’s also in Starfleet, and is about to get his own command and starship. He appears as “Captain Leto” in the credits, although they never refer to him by name. He looks about thirty, meaning she and Booker have been married for at least three decades or more in these scenes.

Michael Burnham Takes Command of Discovery One Last Time

Admiral Michael Burnham (Sonequa Martin-Green) takes command of Discovery for a final mission in the series finale.
Paramount+

Booker stays behind on the alien world, and mother and son go to Starfleet HQ together. In typical Trek fashion, they have a new uniform design. They talk together on the shuttle about Burnham’s friend Tilly, who is now the longest-tenured instructor at Starfleet Academy. We don’t really find out what became of the rest of Discovery’s crew, although we see a montage of them together in younger days. Once they get to Starfleet HQ, we see that they are reverting Discovery to its original 23rd-century mode, with the letter “A” removed from its registry number.

The Discovery crew in flashback in the series finale.
Paramount+

Michael Burnham beams aboard Discovery, now an empty ghost vessel, and talks to Zora, Discovery’s sentient AI system. They embark on one final mission together. It’s a secret “Red Directive” mission, where Discovery will await a ship of unknown origin for a thousand years. Upon reaching the coordinates, Burnham will disembark, while Zora awaits the mysterious vessel. Zora realizes that after this mission, she and Burnham won’t ever see each other again. Burnham says her famous catchphrase one last time as they go to warp — “Let’s fly.”

Will Michael Burnham Return in Star Trek: Starfleet Academy?

Admiral Michael Burnham (Sonequa Martin-Green) in the flash forwards of the Star Trek: Discovery finale.
Paramount+

Will we follow up on this future version of Michael Burnham? It depends on exactly when the new Starfleet Academy series takes place. It might happen concurrently with the elder Michael Burnham we see in the Discovery epilogue. What we do know is that after many hardships, Admiral Michael Burnham led a fulfilled and fruitful life, something she could never have foreseen for herself in the series’ original episode, when she was an outcast mutineer, shunned by almost every member of Starfleet. Admiral Michael Burnham has had a journey unlike any Starfleet commander, or Star Trek series lead, before her.

The post STAR TREK: DISCOVERY Series Finale Epilogue Reveals the Fate of Captain Burnham appeared first on Nerdist.


May 30, 2024

5 Empowering Books To Add To Your Summer Reading List

https://www.blackenterprise.com/5-empowering-books-summer-reading-list/

Originally Published Aug. 18, 2015.

The end of the summer should remind us of one thing—the countdown to the New Year starts now. So, if you’re behind in your career goals or need some motivation to launch that idea you’ve been sitting on for several months, check out these awesome books on career and creativity.

Strategize to Win by Carla Harris

Recognized by Fortune Magazine as one of “The Most Powerful Black Executives in Corporate,” and Black Enterprise magazine’s “Top 75 African Americans on Wall Street” and “Top 75 Most Powerful Women in Business, “Harris is more than qualified in the career strategies and tools necessary to “start out, step up, or start over in your career.

Steal Like an Artist by Austin Kleon

When Austin Kleon was asked to speak to students at Broome Community College, he wrote his speech based on “ten things he wished someone had told him when he was starting out at their age.” “Nothing is original, so embrace influence, collect ideas, and remix and re-imagine to discover your own path. Follow your interests wherever they take you.” This message serves as the foundation for Steal Like an Artist—transformative principles that help people discover their artistic side.

And you don’t have to be an “artist” to benefit from this short, yet powerful read about tapping into your creative side. The book includes empowering messages, graphic illustrations, and Kleon’s personal experiences.

The Audacity of Hope by Barack Obama

If there is anyone who can teach you something about holding out for “hope,” it’s our very own former President of the United States, Barack Obama. According to the book description on Amazon, The Audacity of Hope is Barack Obama’s call for a new kind of politics—a politics that builds upon those shared understandings that pull us together as Americans. Lucid in his vision of America’s place in the world, refreshingly candid about his family life and his time in the Senate, Obama here sets out his political convictions and inspires us to trust in the dogged optimism that has long defined us and that is our best hope going forward.”

The 4-Hour Workweek by Timothy Ferriss

If you’re one of the millions of people who dream about escaping the corporate rat race, the 4-hour workweek is recognized by many “career switchers” as the “blueprint.” The book includes 50 practical tips and case studies from readers (including families) who have doubled their incomes, overcome common sticking points, and reinvented themselves using the original book as a starting point.”

Leave Your Mark: Land Your Dream Job. Kill It in Your Career. Rock Social Media by Aliza Licht

Leave Your Mark: Land Your Dream Job is described as “mentorship in 288 pages.” Highlights from the book include communication and personal branding tips as well Licht’s invaluable lessons learned from her career as well as advice and inspiration.

RELATED CONTENT: These Books On Black Motherhood Are Right On Time For Mother’s Day!


May 29, 2024

2024 ESSENCE Festival Of Culture Performer: Ayra Starr

https://www.essence.com/festival/2024-essence-festival-of-culture/ayra-starr-efoc-2024/

2024 ESSENCE Festival Of Culture Performer: Ayra Starr Photo by Marleen Moise/WireImage By Okla Jones ·Updated May 29, 2024

The 2024 ESSENCE Festival of Culture is back in New Orleans to kick off the summer season in an atmosphere of Black joy, beautiful music, and food selections that are second-to-none. With this year marking its 30th anniversary, attendees can experience the festival’s rich history, all while creating new memories that will last a lifetime.

To celebrate three decades of the ESSENCE Festival of Culture presented by Coca-Cola®, the Evening Concert Series at Caesar’s Superdome will feature an array of amazing performers, including the Nigerian sensation Ayra Starr.

Born Oyinkansola Sarah Aderibigbe, Starr has become one of the hottest musicians in the world. After posting covers of songs by notable artists in 2019, she uploaded an original song called “Damage,” which ultimately led to her signing with Mavin Records the following year. In 2021, the singer hit mainstream with the hit track “Away,” building anticipation for her first solo release 19 & Dangerous. The project was met with critical acclaim, achieving two Top 40 hits in her homeland. The lead single “Bloody Samaritan” became the first solo song by a female artist to reach the number-one spot.

2024 ESSENCE Festival Of Culture Performer: Ayra StarrPhoto by Joseph Okpako

2024 has been a huge year for Starr. It started on a high note as she was recognized by the Recording Academy, being nominated for Best African Music Performance at the 66th Annual Grammy Awards. She also was announced as one of the opening acts for Chris Brown’s arena tour, and became the first female Nigerian artist to reach a peak of 20 million monthly listeners on Spotify. With today’s news of her joining ESSENCE’s Evening Concert Series, Starr’s career trajectory is trending upwards.

The ESSENCE Festival of Culture is a celebration of Black music, and the Nigerian sensation embodies that perfectly with an amazing skill set and vibrant spirit. In the time since its inception in 1995, the festival has risen to become the must-attend event of the summer. With a legendary music lineup, an atmosphere of Black joy, and the backdrop of the Big Easy, the 2024 edition is one that you won’t want to miss.

The ESSENCE Festival of Culture™ presented by Coca-Cola® will take place July 4-7. For more information and updates on the festival, visit our website and follow us on social media @ESSENCEFest on X, Facebook, and Instagram.

TOPICS: 

The post 2024 ESSENCE Festival Of Culture Performer: Ayra Starr appeared first on Essence.


May 29, 2024

Ruby Sunday and Other Companions Who Got Older While Waiting for the Doctor

https://nerdist.com/article/doctor-who-companions-who-got-old-while-waiting-for-the-doctor/

On the surface, traveling with the Doctor seems like a dream. As the Fifteenth Doctor said, you don’t have to worry about a job, boss, bills, or anything else that stresses the average human. You can fill your life with adventures and go practically anywhere in the TARDIS. But, as fans of the show know, life as a companion can get really complicated and downright sad. In the show’s more recent seasons, we’ve seen several companions go through the wringer in different ways. Sometimes, it is permanent, like Bill Potts’ sad ending. But even when it doesn’t last, seeing bad things happen to the Doctor’s friends is distressing. 

old Clara, Ruby, and Amy in Doctor Who
BBC/Bad Wolf Studios/Disney+

The Doctor’s current companion, Ruby Sunday, went through a timeline where she lost everyone she loved and spent 65 years being stalked by an older version of herself. We watched her go through an entire lifetime trying to solve a mystery without the Doctor. The worst part is, this isn’t the first time that a Doctor Who companion got left (or separated) from the Doctor and got older while waiting for their return. Here are a couple other companions who went through a similar experience. 

Amy Pond – “The Girl Who Waited”

Eleventh Doctor companion Amy Pond has a rather unique relationship with the Doctor. She met him as a child and grew up talking about her imaginary friend in the blue box who promised to come back soon. He did return, but it was years later when she was an adult and preparing to marry Rory Williams (who became a companion, too), and they began to travel.

Later on, in “The Girl Who Waited,” she got separated from the Doctor and Rory in a quarantine facility on a foreign planet. Time passed much quicker there, leading to her being there for 36 years. We meet an older Amy and the Doctor has to leave her behind to save younger Amy to avoid a paradox. Once again, Amy (or at least a version of her) had to wait a long time for the Doctor’s return.

Amy and Rory eventually leave the TARDIS after a Weeping Angel sends them back in time. The Doctor cannot reach them and we learn that they die of old age, together. What a wild journey.

Rory Williams – “The Doctor’s Wife” and “The Angels Take Manhattan”

Speaking of Rory and those Weeping Angels, we do get to see an older Rory in “The Angels Take Manhattan.” Before it all ends, Rory ends up in Winter Quay, a hotel full of aging people who are being used by the Weeping Angels to zap their time energy. Amy and Rory go through extreme measures to free Rory from this imprisonment but we do see him in there in old age.

Before all of this, “The Doctor’s Wife” shows poor Rory getting trapped in a TARDIS maze where his timeline speeds up quickly while trying to escape. Amy finds him and he is older and hysterical. Thankfully, this time conundrum works itself out as the episode progresses.

Clara Oswald – “Last Christmas”

We love a weird Christmas episode. “Last Christmas” is a dream-within-a-dream-within-a-dream type of story. It is, well, about crabs that latch onto your face and force you into dreams while they devour your brain. Fantastic. This happens to the Twelfth Doctor’s companion Clara Oswald, who ends up with a crab on her face so long that she appears elderly. She says 62 years have passed. Of course, the Doctor gets Clara back as a young person and she decides to continue traveling with him. 

Sarah Jane Smith – “School Reunion”

Now this one is quite different. Instead of everything happening in an episode or two, this legitimately takes decades. Sarah Jane Smith is one of the most beloved Classic Who companions who spent time with the Third and Fourth Doctors. In the 1976 serial “The Hand of Fear,” The Fourth Doctor is summoned to his home planet of Gallifrey and says she cannot go with him. He drops her off on Earth (in the wrong place) and goes off in the TARDIS. Sarah makes an appearance in an anniversary story in 1983. But, because of timey wimey things, Sarah ends up going back to her life investigating weird things on Earth with K9, a robot dog.

Thirty years after her initial exit, Sarah Jane crosses paths with the Tenth Doctor. It is a reunion that causes tension between her and his current companion Rose Tyler. Sarah Jane is upset that he never came back for her all those years. Rose is upset that the Doctor could be so close to someone and just leave them. And the Doctor is stuck in the middle. For Sarah Jane, there was no timeline reversal or different versions of her. It was simply having to wait and wonder for years and years while getting older. 

Sometimes, traveling with the Doctor can lead to years of heartbreak, pain, and longing, indeed.

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The post Ruby Sunday and Other Companions Who Got Older While Waiting for the Doctor appeared first on Nerdist.


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