Here's What We Have:

This poem is inspired by the original eight-colored pride flag created by Gilbert Baker in 1978. Each color has its own unique symbolism. Pink stands for sex, red for life, orange for healing, yellow for sunlight, green for nature, turquoise for art, indigo for serenity, and violet for spirit. Prism of Touch By Grace Bugin Sinking my teeth in Your hands pull the roots, Connecting my heart Your sweetness stains Like a cigarette on my lips In the clouds, I crave Dreaming of a life Where I don’t have to hide Where you are just you And I, just me Kneeling, I pray As you are my god So afraid of your touch Save me Ruin me Gleaming in the night Your warm eyes begged Your touch, my solace Burns into my skin Forbidden, unexplored The wind carries our love As if a secret Shared with the trees, We call to the moon Pleading to an empty sky A brush on a canvas My hand touches yours Hitched breath and quickened pulse We linger in this moment Echoing through my mind Whispers of a lullaby, So sweet the sound, Floats through the air Pulling me from the clouds Reality begins anew Intertwining souls Weaved through eternity Searching and searching For the hand That fits within mine

The presence of LGBTQ+ rights has made great strides during the last decade. In the year 2010 and before, tabloids would come out and present frequent scandalous articles about queer people. Even though some time has passed and some things have changed, you may find headlines about the next queer artist or public figure but not described as grotesque as it was years before. People who identify as LGBT+ are celebrated today for being authentic and having their stories presented with more diversity and experiences than ever before. Many of the significant improvements that have taken place in the previous few years for LGBTQ+ people have recently been portrayed on television and in movies. New gay material has exploded in 2022, from films to television shows to other media, and we can already see it in 2023 with shows like The Last of Us, Yellow Jackets, and Xo Kitty, just to name a few. In the past LGBTQ+ people have frequently been portrayed negatively or made the punchline of jokes in movies and TV shows. Queer people have appeared in films for many years but not in the way that one may have anticipated. Gay men have portrayed these caricatures on film since the start of cinema and the media has prolonged this myth. However, the recent upsurge in LGBTQ+ advocacy has finally impacted the story and given the media fresh insights. When a gay character is written by another gay person, it adds the authenticity and compassion that LGBTQ+ viewers really need. The plot gains substance that can’t be achieved with straight actors when that character is then portrayed by a gay actor. True representation in cinema is crucial, especially when queer actors are frequently passed over for roles that are rightfully theirs. Creating different types of representation, many of the new LGBTQ+ storylines on television and in movies are authentic, based on real experiences. Gay authors, performers, directors, producers, and executives are becoming increasingly prevalent in these ventures, which is assisting in raising awareness of the real experiences of LGBTQ+ individuals. These characters are finally getting their due in a wide variety of genres. This year is bringing comedies, dramas, romance, horror, and forward from television to the big screen. The progress is extraordinary and queer audiences can’t wait to see what happens next. Written by Daniel Rojas

Pride month means the music is loud and proud. Celebrate Pride Month with 47Magazine and give our Issue 05 playlist a listen this month! We promise it'll get you in the right mood. Created by Lily Greenberg

Lara Tedesco is an up-and-coming artist you don't want to miss. Lara Katrina has recently released a new single titled “She’s My Only Fan” that combines elements of alternative rock with hints of punk. Having grown up in New York, and attended Pace University during her freshman year, Lara had recently moved to London in pursuit of her music career. Lara Katrina performs live with a band known as Lara Katrina and the Trash Rats. Lara (frontman and songwriter), Joey (bassist), Jenny (guitarist), Lucas (lead guitarist), and Simon (drummer) all go to school together. Lara met Joey and Simon through a friend while in search of a bassist and drummer. After beginning a relationship with bassist Joey, Lara was introduced to Jenny who happened to be Joey's flatmate. Lara then met Lucas through mutual friends and the Trash Rats were created. Read below to find out what it’s like behind the scenes for Lara Katrina! Were there any artists that had a strong influence on your music? I like to think I’m an amalgamation of all the artists I listen to mixed with a Lara Katrina flair if you will. With this song [“She’s My Only Fan”] in particular, I feel like there’s quite a bit of influence from artists like Wet Leg, Wolf Alice, and maybe some Amyl and The Sniffers. I think the playful insanity of Wet Legs' lyrics brought me this sense of really not taking myself too seriously with it. I remember writing the lyric “Daddy won’t call you back, He’s having a heart attack” and being like that’s sick but also - what. The rock and almost punk sound was brought in by Wolf Alice and Amyl and The Sniffers. Last October, not long before I wrote this song, I was writing indie music, which is strange to think about now. The new stuff I’ve been writing (wink wink) is more influenced by artists like Nirvana, The Pixies, Ethel Cain, and Paramore. So a similar rock vibe but also a little bit different to keep it fresh. Recently, you moved to London to continue school there. Would you say there’s some newfound creativity from this move? Or is it relatively the same as New York? Before moving to London I was not writing rock music. I can’t 100% say it was the energy of the city that did that but it was a pretty dramatic shift for me. I remember sending my family the first song I wrote when I moved here and my dad saying “I was not expecting this from you”. I think something else that has influenced me is just being around musicians all the time. You’re constantly being introduced to new music and new sounds. Sometimes I’ll be at a gig and hear something and think “That’s really cool I wanna play around with that”. I think play is a big thing about it too. My band and I will sometimes play around with my songs to see if we can find something new in them. That’s been really fun - getting to see a song you initially think is done evolving. It also gets my brain thinking differently, trying to see if I can rearrange things or maybe add a new ending. I think it’s less so the city and more the people I’m around but there’s absolutely a new air of creativity. What has your experience been as a woman in the music industry? Okay honestly... It's a mixed bag. There are some really amazing things and some really shitty things. Sometimes it’s watching a not-great guy succeed or listening to some really sexist lyrics. It’s being at a friend's gig and being called a groupie (probably just from the way you’re dressed), being the only woman in a meeting, and feeling like you’re in some boys club. But there are also some great things, from discovering small female-fronted rock bands to listening to some of your female classmates write really sick stuff. I personally try to keep a positive mindset to it. I experience sexism in almost every aspect of my life and I would in any job. It’s a scary thought but it’s something I don’t want to stop me. I wanna be someone that the younger me would find really cool and look up to. I know that’s far from an original thought but it keeps me going. There’s something really beautiful in the comradery you create with other women in your field. After my first gig, a girl came up to me to tell me how cool it was that I was really comfortable in my sexuality and writing the songs I was (I don’t remember exactly what she said as I had a lot of adrenaline going but that was the gist). So yes, I experience a lot of sexism but it makes succeeding feel even better. “She’s My Only Fan" is the type of song that makes you wanna dance around in your room singing the lyrics at the top of your lungs. What inspired you to make this song? When I first started writing I had no ideas in mind. It was just me messing around on my guitar until I found some chords I liked and then I just started singing gibberish until some words found me. I realized a lot of personal stuff comes out through the writing process that I don’t even notice until I’m finished. This song is mainly about queer confusion and the whole question of “Do I wanna be her or be with her”. It’s about having a friend who you find really cool and slowly realizing “Oh I wanna kiss her”. It’s also about unrequited feelings, where yes, they want to be with you in a physical sense, but nothing beyond that. What does the future of Lara Katrina and The Trash Rats look like? Well, we had our first gig as a band on May 18th at Amersham Arms, which is really exciting! We have loose plans to record another single that will hopefully come out in the fall (fingers crossed). Honestly, to just keep working, they definitely make my music better. Collaboration is the key to success and having really talented band members is part of that. Besides that, we’ll hopefully be doing a world tour before you know it. I’m really excited about what’s to come and I feel like a lot of good things are on the way! Written and Interviewed by Gabe Giberson Photography by Isabella Nixon

The characters of Barry have always tried to escape their actions. Whether through ignoring his past, good-spirited kidnapping, or catholicism, Barry Berkman (Bill Hader) can’t avoid the murderer that lies in his core. The same goes for Sally (Sarah Goldberg), who cannot shake her failed career and season three killing. NoHo Hank (Anthony Carrigan) cannot shake his criminal past as the owner of LA real estate firm Nohobal, Fuches (Steven Root) destroys his skittish reputation through nail polish and tattoos, and while Gene Cousineau (Henry Winkler) tries to reinvent himself through an eight-year stint in Israel, he still takes a meeting with Warner Brothers. In the eighth episode of season four, we see these characters continue making the escapist mistakes we’ve seen before. This is most apparent through the titular character, Barry. For the entire time audiences have known him, Barry has been desperately trying to convince himself that he’s a good person through different means. His current access to unearned forgiveness is through religion. But despite trying to live a peaceful life in hiding with Sally and their child, the announcement that Barry’s story will be turned into a movie brings violence back to the surface. Barry must kill Gene, but he doesn’t want to do it without the OK from God. Barry’s target has also had a spiritual awakening since he spent his eight years in hiding at a kibbutz in Israel. No longer prioritizing attention for himself (or so he says), Gene (above) only met with the WB executive to try to stop production on the film. In a very meta line, Gene explains that this movie will glorify a killer instead of prioritizing Janice’s life. While this moment feels like a rare moment of selflessness, Gene waited until his return was noted in Variety to share that he disapproved of the adaptation, endangering himself and his family. Shockingly, Gene’s son Leo (Andrew Leeds) survived after being shot by his father in the fifth episode. It seems that forgiveness and reconciliation might be possible if Gene lives to mend their relationship. “Tricky” family dynamics don’t stop with the Cousineaus in this episode, as Sally (above) continues to demonstrate her dissatisfaction with her child and surreal vacant life. While the episode sets up several bad-parenting tragedies to take place, from improper gun handling to quieting her child with vodka in his juice, director Bill Hader and writer Duffy Boudreau terrorize Sally with a hazy home invasion. While the aftermath proves that something destroyed the interior of the home, Sally’s dreamlike sedation in this environment is translated through the surreal experience of the invasion. Credits show that one of the invaders is Bevel, the man Sally got fired in the last episode, which gives a logical reason for the destruction to take place. However, the other intruder is voiced by Shane, the biker Sally killed in the season three finale. Hader has shared that this death will haunt Sally through the season, and Shane’s disconnected presence in the scene further adds to the unease of the unreliable event. Perspective continues to be a theme of this episode through NoHo Hank, who has gone legitimate in the 8-year time gap per Cristobal’s wishes while quieting any notion that he was responsible for Cristobal’s death. Audiences see a return of the cheery, amicable Hank they were introduced to in the first season, but the deaths Hank caused loom over the swanky offices and mansions. Fuches is unafraid to drunkenly call out Hank for Cristobal’s murder though, as he has a new and toughened personality after getting out of prison. As shocking as the reveal of the time jump was in “it takes a psycho,” Fuches’ new tatted appearance is arguably more jaw-dropping. After earning the respect of his fellow inmates after not ratting out any info about Barry (not that he actually knew anything), Monroe Fuches appears to have had a good time in prison. He has a newfound confidence and one goal, revenge against Barry. But as we’ve learned over the past seasons, revenge and violence cannot exist without consequences. After Bill Burr cameos as a Christian podcaster who approves of murder, Barry finally feels he’s worked up the courage and moral clarity to kill Gene. While he clearly still feels conflicted, Barry sees that Gene has left the front door to his home wide open, and takes it as a sign from God. As I watched this scene unfold, I found myself in the rare position of questioning the show. Why would Gene leave the door open knowing he had endangered himself by returning to LA? It felt like a lazily convenient device for a show I usually trust so much. But when Barry breaks in, he discovers that the open door was a trap set by Jim Moss. Mirroring nearly identical circumstances of the season three finale in which Jim gets Barry caught by the police, somehow neither the character nor I as the viewer saw it coming. How do these characters continue to make the same mistakes while expecting new outcomes? The ending of “the wizard” demonstrates how even audience members struggle to learn from the mistakes of the past. And with two episodes remaining, it’s anyone’s guess how these characters will find vengeance and/or forgiveness.

Barry has always succeeded with the difficult task of balancing humor and violence. As violence becomes more explicit and prominent in television, it would be easy to simply use murder as a cheap joke. However, in its fourth and final season, Barry is ready for its characters to face consequences. “it takes a psycho” An unseen helicopter looms over Los Angeles. Its presence highlights the absence of Barry Berkman (Bill Hader) after he escapes from prison. While Hank (Anthony Carrigan), Sally (Sarah Goldberg), and Jim Moss (Robert Wisdom) all have reason to believe the convict could be coming after them, no one is more petrified than Gene Cousineau (Henry Winkler, above). After spilling everything he knew about Barry to the press, Gene retreats to his cabin in Big Bear to keep himself away from more reporters. However, when he learns that Barry has escaped from prison, Gene is convinced he’ll be the hitman’s first target. However, his son Leo (Andrew Leeds), convinces him to stay put. This ends up being a fatal mistake for Leo in what is potentially the most shocking scene in an incredibly shocking episode. Forget Chekov’s gun, as Rip Torn’s gun has shown up again in Barry. A gift from one actor to another, Gene has kept this gun for each season but doesn’t fire it until this episode. When a figure approaches his door, a terrified Gene shoots before asking any questions. However, it is not Barry that he has shot but his own son, who only stopped by to drop off his favorite meal. While Gene spent most of the episode frozen with fear, Hank was moving at an unprecedented pace for power. Hank’s first action in this episode is drowning his new crew in their sand. It is a horrifying sequence for Cristobal (Michael Irby) and is one of two moments in this episode that demonstrates why Hader’s next project will probably be a horror film. When the Chechens return and Hank re-joins them, Cristobal doesn’t recognize the murderous brutality in the man he loves. After an excellently performed breakup scene by Carrigan and Irby, Cristobal is shot and killed by the Chechens. While Barry has drawn Breaking Bad comparisons in the past (Hader even sat in on the writing of Better Call Saul this season), Hank allowing Cristobal to be killed is the closest thing to a Heisenberg-like transformation yet. As Hank grows into the crime boss he’s always wanted to be, Sally’s dreams of acting continue to be shattered. After taking on a model-turned-actress as an acting student (Ellyn Jameson) in the last episode, Sally is on the completely green scene-based set for Mega Girls. A very thinly veiled parody of MCU films, Kristen is the blonder and taller mirror of Sally starring in the film. While the movie represents everything Sally hates about Hollywood, when she meets the director of the Oscar-winning film CODA, Sian Heder (making an appearance as herself) Sally can’t help but deliver Kristen’s monologue to the director. It’s an incredible scene, from Heder’s blunt performance to Carl Herse’s camera choreography which blocks Kristen out of the frame as Sally tries to replace her. However, despite her best efforts, Sally will never get this part. A producer, Mark, tells her that with time she may act again, but Sally’s Hollywood dreams are officially dead. So when Sally returns home that evening, she is not only completely unsurprised by Barry lurking in the shadows of her home (make that horror movie ASAP, Hader!), but she agrees to run off with him. Leaving both Barry and the audience with the same reaction of, “really?!” After a series of dream sequences this season, we have revisited the same barren landscape. Only now, instead of a young Barry, we are met with his son. The child Barry and Sally have together in this desolate atmosphere is revealed to not be a hallucination, but a product of a time jump 8 years into the future. “tricky legacies” No, the photo above is not a random stock image of a father and son. And no, Abraham Lincon and Gandhi weren’t perfect. In Barry’s fifth episode “tricky legacies,” audiences are greeted with an 8-year time jump where Barry and Sally have run off together and raised a son in the middle of nowhere. Without access to friends, freedom, or video games (“Who doesn’t know Call of Duty?”), John (Zachary Golinger) silently knows that this idyllic suburban family has something strange hiding under the surface. In one of the few interactions he has with another child, he asks, “Does your mom wear hair on your hair?” While it’s a hilarious question, it’s all John knows since his mother “Emily” has to put on a brown wig each morning before going to work. This surreal, desolate, and domestic wasteland is a waking nightmare for Sally (above). She chugs booze on the drive home from work, steals money from the cash register, and hates-watches the show her former acting classmate and assistant Natalie stars in (yay for the return of D’arcy Carden!). While completely unsatisfying to her, it is a strange combination of the life she could’ve had if she stayed in Joplin with her abusive ex-husband while simultaneously being the role of a lifetime. Adopting a southern accent, a new name, and a new identity is something Sally has been spending her whole life training for, yet she’s playing to an audience of zero. While Sally grows bitter and defeated, Barry is having the time of his life as a father, who now goes by the name Clark. We’ve seen Barry imagine himself as a father in dream sequences since season one. While his reality doesn’t include John Hamm like his season one self-imagined, Barry is leaping at the opportunity to teach his son about math and Abe Lincoln (which was something he knew about before). This delusional enjoyment of a crime-free life mirrors his behavior in season two, where he also tried to live a normal, murder-free existence. However, in this episode written and directed by Bill Hader, he wastes no time reminding the audience of the violence Barry is trying to ignore. When Barry finds a baseball glove in John’s room, he wastes no time showing his son clickbait-y snuff videos on youtube of kids being killed at little league games (with excellent titles like, “7 Year Old Boy Gets Grisly Injury in Outfield - TERRIFYING”). As committed to being a father as Barry seems, he prioritizes buying himself a Lincoln biography over a blanket for his son’s freezing bedroom. Sally is a completely inattentive mother who “scary cries” and detests the thought of cuddling John. When a mysterious doorbell ditcher arrives one night, Barry stands outside with a gun all night while Sally and John sleep in the bathtub. This entire episode feels eerily detached from reality and while this season has already drawn Lynch comparisons from some, this deserted vision of suburbia feels like a spiritual successor to Blue Velvet. But as audiences have repeatedly learned, delusion can never last long in Barry. After spending eight years in hiding, Gene Cousineau returned to Hollywood as soon as he gets the opportunity for more attention. While the Warner Brothers staff can’t tell if the man in the lobby is the real Cousineau (they’re both old!), he eventually works his way into meeting an executive. Which brings the Berkman familial facade to a screeching halt. When we return to the empty house, Sally is screaming for Barry (no longer Clark, but Barry. “They’re making a movie about us,” she says, and Gene is consulting on the bio-pic. The idyllic family scene is over and a new goal takes precedence, Barry is going to kill Gene. Will Gene please cut his hair? Does NoHo Hank finally have control over the LA crime he’s always wanted? How will this Bonnie and Clyde duo operate now that they have a child? What quote from Natalie’s sitcom did they reference at the White House correspondent's dinner? Regardless of how these questions are answered, the rest of Barry’s final season is sure to be a wild ride. Written by Mary Leer

After the success of Bridgerton, fans of all ages have been awaiting the new prequel about the eccentric Queen Charlotte. This prequel explores two timelines, both revolving around the older characters in the show, including Viscountess Bridgerton, Lady Danbury, and of course, Queen Charlotte. It gives the audience insight into the lives of these characters, both in the time that Bridgerton is set and in their younger days. The show is just as well produced as the main series, with massive, beautiful sets, stunning camerawork, and the most intricate costumes that I have ever seen. The dialogue has a great rhythm that keeps it engaging despite the use of much older language. The plot was excellent, filled with dynamic characters that were given storylines even more complex than those of the characters featured in the original series. All around, the show was excellent and I missed it when it ended. My only regret? Watching it with my mother. As huge Bridgerton fans, we were so excited to hear about a new show in this cinematic universe that we both adore and don’t get me wrong, she enjoyed the show just as much as I did. However, when moving to watch it together, we mistakenly went in with the idea that Queen Charlotte wouldn’t be nearly as raunchy as the original series. This was a wildly incorrect assumption. Queen Charlotte is beyond PG13, markedly more obscene than even the original series- I mean, come on, there's a reason that the Queen had 13 children. I would call Queen Charlotte a must-watch for all Bridgerton fans, but as much as my mom and I loved the show, we would both recommend that you and your mother watch this one separately and spare yourselves some pretty awkward moments, especially in episode 3. Written by Lily Greenberg

By now, you have probably heard about Hollywood writers striking, but you might not know why. On May 2nd, the Writers Guild of America (WGA) labor union began striking due to unfair pay and treatment in Hollywood. Many prominent writers and actors such as Quinta Brunson, Chris Pine, Drew Barrymore, and Pete Davidson have expressed their support for the strike or are actively taking part in it. Unfortunately, much of the major media coverage of the strike has been focused on what shows and movies will be delayed or affected by the strike, likely as a means to turn the public against the strikers. Several shows have already announced that they would be resuming production once the WGA’s terms are met, such as Stranger Things, Abbott Elementary, Yellowjackets, and several late-night shows. Naturally, many fans were alarmed, but it is important to know why writers are striking and why it’s important that shows and movies are delaying production in respect. The main focus of the strike is to raise the wages of writers in Hollywood as the WGA expressed concerns about major cuts in incomes within the past decade. Writers are the backbone of all your favorite shows and movies, and it’s inexcusable that they would be compensated far less than the actors and producers working on the same productions. Without writers, these actors and producers would have nothing to work with–no one to spend hours upon hours writing and perfecting scripts with direction and comedic, heartfelt, and heart-wrenching dialogue. This brings us to the guild’s next concern: the rise of AI. There has been a lot of talk recently about the advancements of artificial intelligence and how it could be used to replace real people, such as AI-generated movies, shows, and music. The problem with this is that AI-generated art in any form loses emotional depth and originality. AI pulls from preexisting sources to create new things, but they’re usually off in some way that makes it noticeable to have not been made by a human person. AI-generated writing also lacks the emotion and care put in by human writers who write from their own experiences or the archives of their imagination. Furthermore, the WGA isn’t demanding the removal of AI technology in Hollywood as a whole; simply that AI does not replace human writers and is only used as a tool to help or supplement. Moreover, the Writers Guild is asking for more concrete terms in their contracts, such as how many writers would be working on a project for a specific time, as well as money for their pensions and healthcare. The latter request was outright rejected by the opposition, the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP), though hopefully if the strike goes on long enough, they will reconsider. This is not the first time the WGA has struck–the last strike occurred from 2007 to 2008, and there were several throughout the decades before. The terms regarding payment are similar, but what’s new is the existence of streaming platforms. The billion-dollar companies bring a more complicated element to the strike, though the strikers are undeterred. Many actors and directors have expressed their support for WGA members, so viewers must do, too. As mentioned before, the writers are the people behind the many shows and movies we love to watch. It may take a little more patience to wait for some shows to resume production, but I think it’s worth it to get some quality writing and treatment for writers. Written by Alec Conwell Check out more of our coverage of the writer's strike below!

One Direction was and still is, over ten years after their formation, one of the biggest boy bands of all time. Although they are no longer together, fans have kept their legacy going. One Direction fans are one of the most up-to-date fans there are, always staying on top of the band's latest whereabouts and events. Even today, the fandom is still prevailing with knowing what the band members are up to in their solo careers and keeping up with any slight hint at a reunion. It is clear that the band has made an impact and is loved by millions around the world as the fandom is still active on social media platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and most notably Twitter. Just as much as they have impacted the lives of young girls, and they have even affected the lives of other famous television personalities like the host of The Late Late Show, James Corden. His love and support for the boys throughout their time together and their solo careers have been present from his first season to his last. With carpool karaokes, interviews, “Spill Your Guts”, “Tattoo Roulette”, “Corden's Angels”, performances, and even Harry Styles hosting the show, it is clear that James Corden loves these boys just as much as we do. As Corden’s eighth and final season of The Late Late Show came to a close on April 27, the present question is, if James Corden can’t bring the boys back together, can anyone? During the band's start, the fandom was filled with pre-teen/teen girls around the world who are now still waiting for them to make their return after their “hiatus”. While this may be a sore subject for most fans, their love for the band still goes strong eight years after the hiatus, and the community is still booming on social media. Hints and ideas of the band's return have been surfacing for years, especially during their tenth anniversary back in 2020 where fans around the world rallied together yet again to prepare for any content the community may receive. The community was thrilled with any slight bit of content received after the ten-year dry period as the One Direction verified Instagram and YouTube accounts became active again. Although there was not a reunion, a few unreleased songs were dropped on Spotify along with clips, a thank you to the fans video on YouTube, and an interactive website was created for the anniversary. As for today, fans believed there were hints for a reunion as James Corden’s final show was growing near and One Direction were regular guests; though the only confirmed guest out of the members was Harry Styles. As fans counted down the days to Corden's last show, conspiracies of a reunion to celebrate the host spread. With articles spreading from Mailonline that falsely stated that it was confirmed that Corden would reunite the boys on the show, The Late Late Show account screenshotted the article and came back over Twitter shutting down the rumors by stating, “Nobody loves the boys more than us... but this story just isn’t true” (Twitter User @latelateshow). This Tweet was posted on April 13th, two weeks before the final show aired. Other published articles also spread the news of no confirmation or possibility of a reunion, but this did not stop fans from still having hope. Thoughts were still circling of Corden rounding up the boys and getting them together for one last carpool karaoke, performance, or interview, any interaction would do. Fans took to Twitter to express their enthusiasm, “I’m fully convinced we’re gonna get a lil one direction reunion and literally no one can change my mind” (Twitter User @satillitemooon) wrote a fan a day before the premiere. On the day of the finale fans were booming with aspiration, “OMG I J REMEMBERED ITS LATE LATE TD UMMM OK ONE DIRECTION REUNION TDDD” (Twitter User @ASTROKARLL) just to be filled with disappointment at the end of the night. Harry Styles and Will Ferrell sat side-by-side on The Late Late Night Show couch instead of Styles with the rest of the boys. Fans eagerly sat waiting for an appearance from the rest of the members, a phone call, or confirmation of a reunion in the future. A short game of “Spill Your Guts” dropped the big question that fans have been yearning for an answer to. Styles’ question “Will there be a One Direction reunion?” was served over a cup of salmon clam juice and wasabi. To fans' dismay Styles answers with, “I think I would never say never to that. If there was a time when we wanted to do it, I don’t see why we wouldn’t.” Brushing over the question by not giving a direct answer, basically giving us nothing. Luckily, Styles did not shut down the idea of a reunion, which still leaves the fans with hope to see their favorite band together for one last time. As the finale came to a close, the closest thing we got to a reunion was seeing fellow One Direction band member, Niall Horan, is in the background of the flashback to Styles, getting his “Late Late” tattoo on the show back in season one. Fans on Twitter and TikTok even joked about their delusions of their being a reunion by calling themselves clowns, “me when there was no 1D reunion after being told multiple times that there wasn’t gonna be one” (TikTok User @woahmunson). Are fans the “only believer” in a real reunion? Many of the members have expressed their attraction to a reunion, but why not do one? Is there something holding them back? But, band member Louis Tomlinson expressed in his recent documentary, Louis Tomlinson: All of The Voices, that he never wanted the band to split, as he states "It hit me like a ton of bricks, I was not prepared for it [the break]," So what is stopping the reunion? Is it, Harry Styles’ booming and ever-growing solo career? Even successful artist Niall Horan and band member Liam Payne have expressed their interest in the possibility of a reunion. The small glimpses of hope, from the band members, keeps the fandom alive. Members and fans both say, never say never. Written by Andie Serrao

Throughout the late 80s and early 90s, Neil Gaiman’s The Sandman was published by DC Comics. Since their release, The Sandman has captured the hearts and minds of dreamers everywhere, and in August of 2022, Netflix released season one of the comics’ TV show adaptation. Similar to many others who watched the series, I became obsessed quickly after watching. If you’re looking for something new to watch, and you’re a fan of fantasy, interesting and diverse characters, and a bit of violence, The Sandman is my top recommendation. Season one has eleven episodes, though the eleventh was added after the original season dropped as an extra. While the first ten episodes are a more linear narrative taken from the first two volumes of the comics, the eleventh episode combines two short stories from the third volume. The series follows our main character, the Sandman, Dream of the Endless, played by Tom Sturridge. Dream, who also uses the name Morpheus, is a personification and embodiment of dreams. He is the ruler of the Dreaming, the place everyone goes when they fall asleep, and the creator of dreams and nightmares. When a human magic user tries to trap Dream’s sister Death to bring his dead son back to life, the spell goes awry and traps Dream instead, and the world suffers the consequences of Dream’s prolonged capture. The first season follows Dream as he escapes and has to bring order to his realm and retrieve his lost tools of office: three powerful artifacts that contain parts of Dream’s ancient powers. The wildly creative fantasy world presented in The Sandman is enamoring and brilliantly adapted from the comics. The series was in Netflix’s top 10 for several weeks and received an abundance of positive reviews regarding its performances, production, and faithfulness to the original comic series. The cast is a wonderful and talented group who all hold a respect and love for the comics, which comes through in their performances. Much of the criticism the show received was due to its diversity, the very thing that also drew so many viewers like myself to enjoy the show, as The Sandman has several Black and queer characters in prominent roles. The show quickly drew me in with its fantastical elements and beautiful cast, but the story itself is very heartfelt and well-written. Though the focus is on a billion-year-old being with powers beyond one’s comprehension, his arc is incredibly human. It is a story about family, friendship, and what it means to change and having to accept those changes. In need of more content, I quickly acquired the comic series and read them ravenously, so if you enjoy the show and/or want a new comic series to read, I cannot recommend them enough. The Sandman was renewed by Netflix to continue the story, but show creators and actors alike are refraining from calling it a second season; we fans are unsure at the moment as to what this means for the structure of the next round of stories. However, The Sandman’s possible second season is currently in the works and will begin filming this summer. The series is set to continue with the fourth volume of the comics, Season of Mists, before skipping to volume 7, Brief Lives. The volumes in between contain short stories and less focus on Dream of the Endless as a main character, so the showrunners are likely trying to keep a more linear narrative. Written by Alec Conwell

With its gray skies, persistent rain, and unseasonable chill, April is finally over. Meanwhile, flowers continue to bloom around the city and it’s time to plan for the warm summer days to come. Take a tour through Manhattan, from top to bottom, with this breakdown of the city’s best parks! FOR CULTURE: Marcus Garvey Park / 125th Street (4/5/6) One of the larger parks above 80th Street, Marcus Garvey Park is a lush garden and community center in the heart of Harlem. Named after Black activist Marcus Garvey, this park is home to over 20 acres of indoor and outdoor facilities, including two pickleball courts, a pool, basketball courts, and a beloved concert bandshell. Last year, Marcus Garvey’s lawns were home to a range of free concert and movie series, from documentaries on soul and jazz to live performances. With any luck, similar programming will be back this summer. For now, Marcus Garvey remains the perfect place to examine new summer blooms, join a step class, or beat the heat with water fountains and sprinklers. FOR DOG LOVERS: Carl Shurz Park / 86th Street (Q) Known for its connection to the stately Gracie Mansion, aka the mayor’s residence, Carl Shurz Park is a gem of the Upper East Side. Nestled directly against the East River, Carl Shurz Park is the perfect place to dog-watch, with two dog runs and a variety of furry friends trotting along the ‘promenade’. There’s even a dog treat food truck that stops by on occasion. Look for the line of wagging tails and impatient owners to spot it. Besides being ‘one of the most dog-friendly parks’ in Manhattan, Carl Shurz is also home to beautiful views of the Triborough Bridge, waterside benches to laze on, and gorgeous gardens. Grab a ticket for the Roosevelt Island Ferry, just steps away, to make a real day of it. FOR MAIN CHARACTER ENERGY: Central Park – The Great Lawn and Bow Bridge / 72nd Street (1/2/3) Oh, Central Park. Easily the most iconic park in all the six boroughs, no list of NYC’s parks would be complete without this one. However, spanning nearly 900 acres, there’s also no way you’re going to conquer it all in just one summer. For that reason, I consider the park’s famous Great Lawn and nearby Bow Bridge to be the most-unmissable spots for a sunny day trip. Join the hundreds of sunbathers, frisbee-throwers, artists, and nappers on the Great Lawn. You can even catch the city’s annual free New York City Philharmonic concert–complete with fireworks at the end–of a softball game if you’re lucky. A short walk away at Bow Bridge, you can recreate your rom-com fantasies while tulips bloom and rowers from the Loeb Boathouse pass underneath. FOR SCENIC GAINS: Hudson River Park / 23rd Street (6) One of the city’s longest parks, this waterfront strip stretches from 59th Street to Battery Park. Renowned for its runners, joggers, and cyclists, Hudson River Park is one of the city’s best places to get a good workout. Lesser known, however, is that each of the park’s piers is home to its own recreational activities. Pier 45 is home to a large lawn for reading and relaxing, and one can often spot boxing classes on the pier. Pier 62 has a “California-style skatepark,” while Pier 86 is home to the Intrepid Sea, Air, and Space Museum. And who could forget Little Island, NYC’s newest, floating park, complete with an audio architecture tour, public talks and performances, and mere steps away from the wider wonders of Chelsea? Best of all, each inch of Hudson River Park is the perfect place to catch sunset views over the Hudson River–my favorite feature. FOR READERS: St. Luke in the Fields Gardens / Christopher Street (1) Tended to by the Episcopal Church St. Luke in the Fields but open to all, these gardens are the perfect West Village retreat. Open from midday to dusk, the gardens’ benches are the perfect place to read, listen to music, or observe the more than 100 species of birds and 24 types of moths and butterflies that have been known to float by. Keep quiet, sip on the tea or coffee of your choice, and pop by St. Luke in the Fields thrift store before your visit ends. FOR A HOT GIRL SUMMER: Washington Square Park / West 4th (A/C/E/B/D/F/M) The epicenter of downtown Manhattan, no park below 14th Street is more beloved than WSP. Jump in the iconic fountain (or…don’t…), watch the skateboarders grind, or help yourself to a pre-roll of your choice. Where both protests and late evening parties converge, Washington Square Park is the perfect place to pregame, catch some spontaneous live music, or simply lounge. Enjoy the pink cherry blossoms, towering arch, and feeling of the city coming to life. Don’t forget to pop by in early June for jam-packed Pride festivities. And who knows? Maybe a TikTok podcaster will help you find the summer fling of your dreams. FOR A SOHO SURPRISE: Liz Christy Garden / Broadway/Lafayette (6/B/D/F/M) Located at the corner of Bowery and Houston, this downtown public garden was founded in 1973. As the first–and oldest–community garden in NYC, you can honor the legacy of activists past by enjoying its blossoms and trees. With winding paths, a small turtle pond, and the tallest dawn redwood in Manhattan, this park truly feels like a secret garden. Take a breath after a whirlwind brunch or a gallery excursion by exploring this hidden park, directly off of the Broadway/Lafayette subway stop. FOR AN EARLY MORNING: Sara D. Roosevelt Park / 2nd Avenue (Q) Tucked in between the boundaries of the Lower East Side and Chinatown proper, this park makes a perfect early-morning stroll. Grab a pastry from Ka Wah or Chiu Hong Bakery and enjoy the ping-pong matches, tai chi lessons, and birds chirping overhead. One of the few escapes from the tightly-packed buildings of the LES, this park was made to be enjoyed. There are also two pickleball courts, a volleyball court, and several basketball courts. Plus Law & Order is, almost, always filming there. Bonus points if you see Mariska Hargitay before 10 am. FOR PERFECT PICTURES: City Hall Park / Chambers Street (2/3/A/C/E/R/W) Located firmly within the boundaries of the Financial District, also known as Fi-Di, this park is tragically overlooked. Home to the majestic Jacob Wrey Mould Fountain, this park is surrounded by some of NYC’s oldest and finest architecture. It’s one of the city’s most beautiful green spaces. Oddly well-maintained, with buildings dating back to 1812, this park is lush and green, and a perfect spot to observe finance bros and government workers in their natural habitat. Make sure to stop by in the afternoon when the ties get loosened and golden hour hits. FOR REAL ADVENTURE: Governor’s Island / Governors Island Ferry Ok, so this one isn’t technically a park. That being said, it’s 100% a part of Manhattan, and one of the best places to be when summer hits the city. Governor's Island is a can't-miss green space, a chock full of special events, farmer’s markets, and overpriced, yet delicious, food stalls. Wrangle three of your closest friends into a surrey, or pedal around on bikes. Enjoy the lavender field, lounge in a hammock grove, or simply sip a cold one and look out over the Hudson Bay. The ferry ride is free before noon on weekends, and only $4 roundtrip if you sleep in. Plus, the views are totally worth it. Written by Hannah Siegel

The world was first introduced to Lady Gaga acting in FX’s gruesome television hit, "American Horror Story." She then went on to star in "A Star is Born", "House of Gucci", and now, "Joker: Folie à Deux". Folie à Deux is a French term for “madness of two.” It is also frequently used in English to denote this specific type of schizophrenia and refers to a shared mental illness between two people. The icon herself was spotted filming scenes on the same staircase used from “Joker” that links Shakespeare and Anderson avenues at West 167th Street in the Bronx; as well as the New York County Supreme Courthouse in lower Manhattan. Gaga was seen wearing a domino pattern top with a red blazer and leggings. The look wouldn’t be complete without the smudged lipstick and eyeliner. Joaquin Phoenix will reprise his role as Arthur Fleck who was a wannabe comedian that struggles with mental health issues. Lady Gaga will step into the role of DC’s Harley Quinn. The movie is allegedly going to be a musical and take place primarily in Arkham asylum, where Harley Quinn and Joker are certain to get romantically involved. The concept following the Joker and Harley’s relationship is abuse. More unlike the physical aspect it is predicted based on how Joker has dark undertones it will focus on the mental and emotional aspects of their relationship. With the vocal talents of Gaga there is no doubt that this movie will be another smash hit at the box office. The film wrapped on April 5th as the director Todd Phillips shared images of Gaga and Phoenix in character. Phillips expressed his kudos to the stars and to his crew as he stated “the best crew the film industry has to offer from top to bottom.” The Warner Bros. sequel is set to release in October 2024. Written by Daniel Rojas