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Sharon Horgan’s black comedy/drama “Bad Sisters” is back for a second season, but how does it compare to the first? Review.

Where do you go with a TV show that’s already solved its main mystery?

This was the biggest question I had going into Bad Sisters Season 2, the follow-up to Sharon Horgan’s excellent 2022 how-dunnit about a family banding together to kill their sister’s abusive husband.

Season 2 quickly untangles the neat bow that tied up the show’s first season, and initially it seems like its new direction will be just as tense and intriguing. Unfortunately, the momentum doesn’t quite last. What starts as a strong story becomes patchy in the middle, before somewhat rescuing itself in the closing episodes.

What’s Bad Sisters Season 2 about?

We pick up with the Garvey sisters – Eva (Horgan), Grace (Anne-Marie-Duff), Bibi (Sarah Greene), Becka (Eve Hewson), and Ursula (Eva Birthistle) – in a seemingly happier time. Grace is getting married to new man Ian (Owen McDonnell), and John Paul (Claes Bang) is just a horrible memory. Season 1 tied up the mystery of his death in a seemingly neat bow, and the family seems to be thriving now he’s gone. But of course, none of that lasts.

Nervous neighbour Roger (Michael Smiley) is the first thread to unravel, reappearing on the scene with his pious and meddling sister Angelica (Fiona Shaw) and threatening to reveal what he knows about John Paul’s death to the police. Angelica’s own suspicions quickly become aroused, as do those of new detective Una Houlihan (Thaddea Graham), who’s keen to reopen the case alongside Season 1 detective Fergal Loftus (Barry Ward). All of these events conspire to destabilise Grace’s newfound happiness and send the sisters spiralling back into crisis mode.

Without entering spoiler territory, Bad Sisters needed something in Season 2 that would shake up its formula — and this something does indeed come along, quickly and brutally.

It feels like a bit of a risk to take in the script, but it’s one that works. At least, until it doesn’t.

Bad Sisters Season 2 lacks what made Season 1 so great

There are many good things about Bad Sisters that are still there in Season 2. The characters are just as much fun, the blend of drama and black humour is effective, and the writing is as sharp as ever. The new characters, too, bring a fresh tension to the mix, and there are still plenty of twists that are hard to see coming. If this was a new show, I’d have been pleasantly surprised.

The problem is, it’s not. It’s a sequel. Season 1 of Bad Sisters was brilliant for all of the above reasons, but also because of the plot and central mystery. How exactly did John Paul die? Who killed him? The writing and the characters complemented these driving question, but the questions themselves still provided the main hook. Season 2, despite a valiant effort to try new things, doesn’t have this crucial hook. There are still unanswered questions, but we don’t care about the answers as much.

Bad Sisters Season 2 is by no means bad, and after a sluggish middle things do pick up again towards the end. But when compared to its first season — and that comparison is inevitable, despite how different the story is — it can’t quite measure up.

Bad Sisters Season 2 is streaming on Apple TV+ from Nov. 13.

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Here’s the answer for “Wordle” #1243 on November 13, as well as a few hints, tips, and clues to help you solve it yourself.

Oh hey there! If you’re here, it must be time for Wordle. As always, we’re serving up our daily hints and tips to help you figure out today’s answer.

If you just want to be told today’s word, you can jump to the bottom of this article for November 13’s Wordle solution revealed. But if you’d rather solve it yourself, keep reading for some clues, tips, and strategies to assist you.

Where did Wordle come from?

Originally created by engineer Josh Wardle as a gift for his partner, Wordle rapidly spread to become an international phenomenon, with thousands of people around the globe playing every day. Alternate Wordle versions created by fans also sprang up, including battle royale Squabble, music identification game Heardle, and variations like Dordle and Quordle that make you guess multiple words at once. 

Wordle eventually became so popular that it was purchased by the New York Times, and TikTok creators even livestream themselves playing.

What’s the best Wordle starting word?

The best Wordle starting word is the one that speaks to you. But if you prefer to be strategic in your approach, we have a few ideas to help you pick a word that might help you find the solution faster. One tip is to select a word that includes at least two different vowels, plus some common consonants like S, T, R, or N.

What happened to the Wordle archive?

The entire archive of past Wordle puzzles was originally available for anyone to enjoy whenever they felt like it, but it was later taken down, with the website’s creator stating it was done at the request of the New York Times. However, the New York Times then rolled out its own Wordle Archive, available only to NYT Games subscribers.

Is Wordle getting harder?

It might feel like Wordle is getting harder, but it actually isn’t any more difficult than when it first began. You can turn on Wordle‘s Hard Mode if you’re after more of a challenge, though.

Here’s a subtle hint for today’s Wordle answer:

Making minor adjustments to clothes.

Does today’s Wordle answer have a double letter?

There is one letter that appears twice.

Today’s Wordle is a 5-letter word that starts with…

Today’s Wordle starts with the letter P.

The Wordle answer today is…

Get your last guesses in now, because it’s your final chance to solve today’s Wordle before we reveal the solution.

Drumroll please!

The solution to today’s Wordle is…

PRIMP.

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

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

Reporting by Chance Townsend, Caitlin Welsh, Sam Haysom, Amanda Yeo, Shannon Connellan, Cecily Mauran, Mike Pearl, and Adam Rosenberg contributed to this article.

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

Not the day you’re after? Here’s the solution to yesterday’s Wordle.

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Connections is a New York Times word game that’s all about finding the “common threads between words.” How to solve the puzzle.

Connections is the latest New York Times word game that’s captured the public’s attention. The game is all about finding the “common threads between words.” And just like Wordle, Connections resets after midnight and each new set of words gets trickier and trickier—so we’ve served up some hints and tips to get you over the hurdle.

If you just want to be told today’s puzzle, you can jump to the end of this article for November 13’s Connections solution. But if you’d rather solve it yourself, keep reading for some clues, tips, and strategies to assist you.

What is Connections?

The NYT‘s latest daily word game has become a social media hit. The Times credits associate puzzle editor Wyna Liu with helping to create the new word game and bringing it to the publications’ Games section. Connections can be played on both web browsers and mobile devices and require players to group four words that share something in common.

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

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

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

Here’s a hint for today’s Connections categories

Want a hit about the categories without being told the categories? Then give these a try:

Yellow: Colors associated with sunshine and summer fruits

Green: Structures that could be added to a house

Blue: Oral hygiene concerns

Purple: Pronunciation that doesn’t match the length

Here are today’s Connections categories

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

Yellow: Things That Are Yellow

Green: Building Add-Ons

Blue: Concerns for a Dentist

Purple: Words That Seem Longer Written Than Spoken

Looking for Wordle today? Here’s the answer to today’s Wordle.

Ready for the answers? This is your last chance to turn back and solve today’s puzzle before we reveal the solutions.

Drumroll, please!

The solution to today’s Connections #521 is…

What is the answer to Connections today

Things That Are Yellow: CANARY, LEMON, MINION, MUSTARD

Building Add-Ons: ADDITION, ANNEX, EXTENSION, WING

Concerns for a Dentist: CALCULUS, CAVITY, PLAQUE, TARTAR

Words That Seem Longer Written Than Spoken: COLONEL, PHARAOH, WEDNESDAY, WORCESTERSHIRE

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

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

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

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

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Netflix’s Christmas rom-com “Hot Frosty” is good for your mental health. Review.

Christmas movies can be a balm to the soul during dark, dark times. At their best, they remind us of the kindness that lies in the hearts of humankind. And at their worst, they’re still pretty unflappably joyous. Now, I won’t promise you Hot Frosty — a new Netflix release about a snowman who becomes a real, human man — is on par with holiday classics like A Christmas Story, Home Alone, Elf, Love Actually, or even Gremlins. However, I will assure you it’s a delightful treat that’s sure to enchant for 90 minutes of seasonal bliss. 

Yes, yes, there are hordes of Hallmark movies to choose from, and Netflix has their own panoply of Yuletide viewing — including footage of a cozy fireplace. But trust me, Hot Frosty should be your go-to when you need a break from the worry, stress, and general panic of being alive in this very intense moment in time. Just let this be the mental massage of silliness and sweetness to work out those knots in your muscles and wrinkles in your brain. 

So, if you could use a break from your brain or the world, give yourself over to Hot Frosty.

Yes, Hot Frosty is about a hunky snowman come to life. 

Written by Russell Hainline, Hot Frosty plays to the holiday rom-com cliches that fans have come to hold dear. Having scripted a slew of festive films (In Merry Measure andThe Santa Summit, plus the upcoming movies Three Wiser Men and a Baby, The Santa Class, and Christmas Under The Lights), Hainline is no stranger to these traditions, and he honors them with both a keen awareness and a sense of playfulness. As such, Hot Frosty is set in a picturesque small town called Hope Springs, the kind of place where everyone knows the kind-hearted widow, Kathy (Mean Girls‘ Lacey Chabert), a diner owner who does her best to feed and care for her neighbors — and bare-chested snowmen. 

Amid a festive holiday fair festooned with red-and-green decorations and alive with holiday R&B, an unconventional snowman is carved with long locks of hair, a bare chest, pert nipples, and chiseled abs. Of course, caring Kathy bestows on him a long red scarf, to buffer him from the cold and give him some sense of dignity from the waist down. Well, there must have been some magic in that long red scarf she found, for when she placed it on his neck, he began to turn… into a flesh-and-blood man named Jack (Schitt’s Creek‘s beloved vet Dustin Milligan). 

Naturally, after some comic misunderstandings, he finds his way to Kathy and, soon enough, into her heart, mending her mourning through plenty of Golden Retriever energy. He is hunky, handy, and hot: masculine in a strictly non-toxic sense. For Jack, being a real man means helping others, like the gaggle of older ladies who could use a handyman (and a cheap thrill) courtesy of a handsome, giving stranger. Jack’s caring nature, along with his willingness to share his loving feelings — not to mention those ripped arms — make him a great pick for cuffing season. Also, he revels in making Christmas cookies, understands the joys of cold pizza, gives her a place to express her grief, and is often shirtless! What’s not to love?

Terminator is the source of Hot Frosty‘s central conflict. 

Props to Hainline and director Jerry Ciccoritti for making the most of Jack’s transformation scene. It’s not that the visual effects are awe-inspiring so much as the kookiness that follows, which is a mix of Austin Powers humor and Terminator plot points. When Jack comes to life, he’s wearing only that long red scarf, making for a scene that’s a bit spicy as that generous knitwear conveniently covers his crotch no matter how he moves. Much like the newly arrived Terminator in James Cameron’s 1984 sci-fi classic (which has influenced untold holiday tales), Jack arrives naked in this world, and in urgent need of clothes. So he turns to crime!

After accidentally streaking in front of a surprised elderly couple, he doesn’t beat up a biker for attire. Instead, Jack breaks into the local thrift shop, Reclaimed Rags, to snatch some duds. Specifically, he takes some boots and a denim jumpsuit missing its sleeves, a perfect showcase for Jack’s buff biceps. So, public indecency, breaking and entering, and theft — this is the closest thing this charming town has ever had to a crime spree. The Office‘s Craig Robinson brings an amusing intensity as the sheriff on the case, while Joe Lo Truglio hearkens back to his Brooklyn Nine-Nine days as the bumbling partner/sidekick, who, of course, gives Jack love advice. But whether it’s getting close to Kathy or getting locked up in the local jail, Jack is at risk, as he melts when things get hot. 

Yes! The only downside of this guileless guy is he’s cold to the touch and melts in warm weather. (Look, the song warned us.) This means Jack must frequently frolic in snow to maintain his physique, and that sex with this snowman would be at best chilly for Kathy and at worst deadly for Jack. But don’t dwell on that. For one thing, these Yuletide lovers aren’t moving fast enough for that to matter just yet, and for another, this is a Netflix movie. Such questions are better suited to our own horny musings than to Hainline’s cheerful holiday script. 

Hot Frosty is a himbo story that’s good for you. 

This Netflix Christmas movie presents the pillars audiences expect: festive setting, charming could-be lovers, seasonal music, holiday hijinks, and a happy ending. But Hainline puts a bow on his gift of goofy joy by peopling Hope Springs with lovable weirdos who are all too willing to believe the inexplicably hot snowman from the town square Christmas display is a real live man, now offering to help them fix their homes, put up glass paneling, or save the lovely young widow from her grief. 

For instance, there’s sassy doctor Dottie, who after taking his temperature (30 degrees!), is quick to say, “Look, everything about Christmas: Santa, elves, flying reindeer — the scientist in me knows they shouldn’t exist. But wouldn’t the world be a little bit better if they did?” She then argues that Jack being a snowman come to life is the “simplest explanation” to why he is a hot guy whose skin is ice cold. It’s just science, the film suggests; just go with it. And yes, do that. There’s a sincere pleasure in slipping down the ludicrous slide that is Hot Frosty’s premise, in which a hot, naive, but very sweet man is the perfect Christmas wish — for Kathy and for any of us who may need a bit of comfort from a cold, cold world. 

How to watch: Hot Frosty is now streaming on Netflix.

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“Nutcrackers,” starring Ben Stiller and Linda Cardellini, hits Hulu Nov. 29.

“Nutcrackers,” starring Ben Stiller and Linda Cardellini, hits Hulu Nov. 29.

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Netflix’s new Biblical epic is on the way, with a trailer for “Mary” landing today. Watch.

Netflix’s new Biblical epic is on the way, with a trailer for “Mary” landing today. Watch.

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“Human vs. Hamster,” a very real reality show, premieres November 21 on Max.

“Human vs. Hamster,” a very real reality show, premieres November 21 on Max.

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In the fourth “Bridget Jones” film, Bridget (Renée Zellweger) tries dating again after Mark Darcy’s (Colin Firth) death. Trailer.

In the fourth “Bridget Jones” film, Bridget (Renée Zellweger) tries dating again after Mark Darcy’s (Colin Firth) death. Trailer.

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Disney+’s 2025 slate also includes new seasons of ‘Andor’ and ‘Percy Jackson and the Olympians,’ and originals like ‘Chad Powers.’

Disney+’s 2025 slate also includes new seasons of ‘Andor’ and ‘Percy Jackson and the Olympians,’ and originals like ‘Chad Powers.’

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Taron Egerton finds himself in a “Speed”-like Christmas Eve in the trailer for Netflix’s “Carry On.” Trailer.

Taron Egerton finds himself in a “Speed”-like Christmas Eve in the trailer for Netflix’s “Carry On.” Trailer.

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