Wonderful news for the Modern Family start and the True Blood hunk. According to E! News, the couple is now engaged, after Manganiello popped the question on Christmas Day.

The two have been dating since July, and made headlines ever since with their incredibly sexy public appearances. Most recently, the couple was spotted in Hawaii, where they’re enjoying a well-deserved vacation for the actor’s birthday. Vergara flashed a beautiful rock on her wedding finger, which only further validates the rumors that the pair is preparing for a (hopefully!) glamorous wedding.

The couple is yet to officially confirm their engagement.
Sofia Vergara and Joe Manganiello.

This year had plenty to offer in matters of memorable movies and brilliant performances. But while most of you certainly saw (or at least heard of) Guardians of the Galaxy, Boyhood, Interstellar, or most recently Into the Woods, there were a few great flicks that kind of flew under the radar. However, that doesn’t make them any less worthy of your undivided attention. Here’s a short list of ten movies you should check out before the holidays are completely behind us all.

What If

Boy meets girl. Boy falls for girl. Girl has a boyfriend. Boy befriends girl. Girl kind of falls for boy too. It’s not quite the original story, but what makes this movie utterly wonderful is the witty dialogue and the undeniable chemistry between the main characters, portrayed by Daniel Radcliffe and Zoe Kazan. The supporting characters are also a big part of why What If is so much fun – their talks about love and commitment will surely be appreciated by every rom-com lover out there. Plus, I’d basically watch Adam Driver star in a Gigli remake, so there’s that.

Force Majeure

A family is enjoying a pleasant ski holiday in the French Alps when they find themselves staring down an avalanche during lunch one day. What comes next is the interesting part, as their dynamic has been shaken to its core. Force Majeure makes you rethink patriarchy and gender expectations, if you haven’t been doing that already with all the feminist talks that dominated the media in 2014.

Begin Again

Great music. Excellent acting. So many feelings. Also, did I mention the music? Begin Again is this year’s Once, and it’s heartfelt and charming and delightful. Keira Knightley and Mark Ruffalo deliver strong performances, while the movie leaves you with an optimistic feel that will prove difficult to shake off.

Dear White People

This movie isn’t about white people – it’s actually about four black people, more exactly students, who attend an Ivy League college populated mostly by white folk. Dear White People is funny, smart, twisted, uncomfortable at times. What it does best is manage to tell the tale of college angst combined with all the struggles that come with being a minority; and it shows how even unintended generalizations and misplaced comments can sting.

Love is Strange

That it is, regardless of your sexual orientation. The movie focuses on the story of Ben and George, who deal with all the complications that sometimes come with marriage, even after you’ve been to together for 39 years. When George is fired from his teaching post, the two are forced to stay with friends separately until they sell their place and look for cheaper housing – a situation that ends up affecting everyone involved. The audience can easily relate to the characters – you actually feel like you know them personally, which makes for an extremely satisfying viewing experience.

Obvious Child

Abortion isn’t a subject that should be treated lightly, so it can be difficult to build a compelling romantic comedy around it. Somehow, Obvious Child does just that, blessing us with one of the most thoughtful comedies of the year. Jenny Slate plays Donna, a twenty-something comedienne whose life becomes suddenly complicated after she finds out she’s pregnant with her one-night stand. The movie delivers a good mix of comedy and emotion, so it should definitely end up on your must-see list for the end of the year.

The Skeleton Twins

Kristen Wiig and Bill Hader are such a fun comedic duo – which is why seeing them tackle drama felt incredibly refreshing. The Skeleton Twins is about two estranged twin siblings who cheat death on the same day and reunite, hopefully to mend their relationship. It’s a bit dark, but ultimately moving.

Only Lovers Left Alive

Only Lovers Left Alive is probably the best vampire flick to be released since Let the Right One In back in 2008. It tells the story of Adam, an underground musician, and Eve, a lover of everything beautiful the world has to offer. Their relationship survived several centuries and is still flourishing today, but their life gets pretty messed up when Eve’s sister pays them a visit. What the movie lacks in storyline definitely makes up for in atmosphere and character study. Plus, it’s filled with pertinent observations about humans, life, love, and everything between.

The One I Love

Ethan and Sophie are struggling with a marriage on the brink of falling apart when they are advised by their therapist to escape for a weekend in pursuit of their better selves. Surprisingly, the couple discovers an unusual dilemma that awaits them. The One I Love is funny and intriguing; it leaves you questioning all sorts of things, from what makes a relationship work to what you should expect from your partner.

The Babadook

If you’re a fan of horror flicks, this one is a must-see. Despite its unfortunate name, The Babadook is freaky, fresh, and chilling. It’s more of a fantastic psychological horror than a jump-scare run of the mill slasher film. Its subtlety and creepiness give the movie a great shot at becoming a horror classic.

What other movies do you think should have made our list? Sound off in the comments!

This year blessed us with plenty of exceptional television. Brilliant directing, unique storylines, and mesmerizing performances were to blame for keeping us tied to our screens hours at a time, forgetting that we still need to get some work done if we want to afford our Netflix subscription for another 12 months. A lot of established shows got their groove back this year (like Homeland, New Girl, and The Vampire Diaries), while some new-comers managed to catch both our attention and high praise. Here are the best series released in 2014, in no particular order.

Last Week Tonight with John Oliver

John Oliver’s Last Week Tonight may have been goofy at times, but is managed to stay consistently hilarious throughout its first season run. Plenty of clips from the show became viral in a matter of hours – that’s actually how I became interested in the series, after I saw segments plastered all over my friends’ social media. Furthermore, Oliver proved he has an excellent ability to shed humorous light on the news stories that shaped 2014. The man is a genius, and his show is undoubtedly refreshing. Looking forward to season two.

Broad City

Broad City was one of the most pleasant TV surprises of 2014. Sure, it might be another series following young twentysomething women in NYC dealing with everything that young twentysomethings deal with, but Abbi and Ilana portray the struggles of growing up with humor and nonchalance. They never take themselves too seriously – instead, they provide a constant reminder that life is worth living to the fullest during this brief period of time before responsibilities really start piling up. They also get bonus points for depicting female friendship in an honest and realistic way, something that few shows/movies actually pull off.

Transparent

Transparent‘s biggest accomplishment is that it managed to deliver a heartfelt story that viewers weren’t that familiar with. Coupled with amazing performances from its incredible cast, it quickly became the critics’ favorite new series, landing two nominations for the Golden Globes. If you haven’t seen it yet, the holidays are the perfect time to get caught up.

The Affair

This riveting drama that explores the emotional effects of an extramarital relationship had a great pilot and kept winning over fans due to its smart, creative storytelling. Top notch acting, intrigue, and compelling storytelling are mainly why The Affair became one of the must-watch series of 2014.  It was also nominated for three Golden Globes, showing that mystery and steam still make for awesome TV.

The Flash

With a strong debut and amazing characters, The Flash is shaping into one of the most successful new series of 2014, and for good reasons. It’s highly enjoyable flick – the creators know how to have fun and deliver stories with lightness, pretty uncharacteristic for superhero series. Furthermore, Barry Allen is joyful and optimistic despite his tragic past; something pretty uncommon for a superhero trying to save the world. It may not be the best new show of the year, but it’s certainly one of the most entertaining ones.

How to Get Away with Murder

In How to Get Away with Murder, Viola Davis portrays the perfect anti-heroine, and she does so with grace and vulnerability. Whether you’re rooting for professor Keating or not, you have to admit that the fresh Shondaland drama knows how to keep viewers on the edge of their seat. The captivating series doesn’t fall short on twists, sex, and secrets, giving viewers everywhere something to talk about on social media and around the water cooler. Also, HTGAWM introduced me to Jack Falahee; for that I’ll be forever thankful.

True Detective

A mini-series worthy of high praise, True Detective introduced us to unforgettable characters and unexpected plot twists. There’s no wonder it received widespread critical acclaim. The second season will star Colin Farrell, Vince Vaughn, and Rachel McAdams.

Silicon Valley

Silicon Valley’s hilarious ensemble makes this one of the smartest and most enjoyable sitcoms released in 2014; perfect to unwind with after a hectic day. After only 8 episodes, the show managed to earn a special spot in our hearts, mainly due to its sharp satirical eye for the excesses in the startup industry. It’s like the tech version of Entourage, one you surely don’t want to miss.

Fargo

Midwestern life was never more exciting than in Fargo, an adaptation of the 1996 film. The show received broad acclaim from television critics and won Emmys for Outstanding Miniseries and Outstanding Directing. In short, it’s a great show no TV lover out there should miss.

Jane the Virgin

Due to its ridiculous premise, the show was easy to dismiss. Surprisingly enough though, it became one of the most successful series of the fall, with breakthrough performances and a certain warmth that makes it extremely easy to root for. It also won the CW two Golden Globes nominations, becoming the underdog series of the year. An utterly charming underdog.

Black-ish

Black-ish showed us all that there still is hope for network comedies. It’s funny and warm, has a good cast, and quickly became one of the bright spots in the ultimately bleak fall TV landscape. It has a lot of potential, so it will hopefully become even better once it finds its rhythm.

BoJack Horseman

Who would have thought that an animated sitcom would become one of the darkest shows of the year? Sure, BoJack Horseman is funny enough, buy it adds a certain depth to its characters that makes them entirely relatable. Its inventive setting and accurate portrayal of clinical depression make this one of the most underrated (and clever) shows of the year.

Which of these shows did you watch in 2014? Let us know in the comments!

There was a lot of great television in 2014 for everyone to enjoy. Some made us laugh, some made us tear up, some even caused us to throw unexpected fits of rage (I’m looking at you, How I Met Your Mother). And while there was no shortage of heartbreak and tragedy on our favorite shows this year, there’s nothing more poignant than saying good-bye to a beloved character you’ve came to love during the course of one or more seasons.

Here’s a list of ten TV deaths that occurred in 2014 and scarred me for life. Or, you know, for a couple of days at least.

Zoe Barnes – House of Cards

I was looking forward to the second season of this highly disturbing political drama; and I wasn’t disappointed. Zoe’s death from the first episode was brutal and sudden, causing me to choke on my sandwich and stare at the screen with a bewildered WTF just happened look on my face. She went out with a bang and made me even more curious about how the aftermath will play out. They don’t call it binge-watching for nothing.

Oberyn Martell – Game of Thrones

Oh, Red Viper. You were amazing. From your first on-screen moment to your gruesome death scene, you made viewers fall in love with you and hope for the best. Then you proceeded to crush all those hopes in a matter of seconds. While you can’t watch Game of Thrones without fearing that your favorite characters will be brutally murdered, this one still stung. A lot of characters passed away in season four (Ygritte, Joffrey – yay!, Tywin, Shea, and so on), but none will be as missed as Prince Oberyn.

Will Gardner – The Good Wife

Be it a lesson that not even main characters are safe on today’s dramas anymore. Will’s death was unexpected, painful to watch, and hit too close to home. It played out just as it would in real life – no last-minute tearful good-byes, no happy endings, no closure for anyone. All he left behind were a bunch of unanswered questions and plenty of memories we can (luckily) re-watch to lessen the pain. Even more touching were the remarkable performances delivered by everyone involved in the aftermath of Will’s death. Seeing his peers mourn, each in their own way, was heartbreaking.

Sweets – Bones

You usually expect a character to die in the season finale, not in the premiere, which made the demise of this beloved character that more shocking. He was a good guy. He was young. He was about to be a father. He didn’t deserve this. His warmth, dedication, and optimism will always be remembered fondly.

Charlie Skinner – The Newsroom

Whether you loved or hated The Newsroom, you have to admit that Skinner was one of the best characters on the show. Seeing him go down like that was unsettling, to say the least. At least he died doing what he always enjoyed – scream from the top of his lungs in the middle of a crowded newsroom. I’ll never be able to listen to Oh Shenandoah or That’s How I Got to Memphis without thinking about the witty news director.

Katherine – The Vampire Diaries

She was a lovable villain and basically the only thing that made The Vampire’s Diaries season five watchable. Furthermore, Katherine was always portrayed as a survivor, so her death that much more meaningful for the show. However, there’s no such thing as true death in the supernatural world of Mystic Falls, so I’m still hoping we’ll get to see her again sometime down the road. After all, she remains my favorite Petrova doppelganger. Elena’s just too whiny.

Sara Lance – Arrow

Oh my God, they killed Sara! Another premiere death I wasn’t expecting. I didn’t like her that much in the beginning (team Olicity forever), but she grew on me once I had the chance to learn more about her journey. Her strength, chemistry with the cast, and delightful vulnerability made her one of the most popular characters in the Arrow universe. The only good thing that could come out of this horrible turn of events is for Laurel to clean up her act and start kicking some serious superhero ass. Rest in peace, Black Canary! You were a true badass.

The Mother – How I Met Your Mother

This was utterly  uncool. After waiting for years and years to meet her, The Mother proved to be a wonderful character, one you fall in love with in a matter of seconds, not even episodes. She was charming and funny – the perfect match for Ted the doofus. A quick PSA for all the powerful TV gods out there – building up to her arrival only to kill her off in the finale was even more brutal than popping Oberyn’s head like a watermelon. Uncool.

Daniel Grayson – Revenge

Daniel’s was without a doubt the biggest death in Revenge history, thus completing the character’s journey towards redemption. He died in Emily’s arms, after taking a bullet for her. Fitting, due to the fact that he’s the one who shot her back in season two. Nevertheless, a sad moment for Revenge fans everywhere.

Allison Argent – Teen Wolf

It was touching and incredibly depressing to see Allison die in the arms of her true love – a moment that made Teen Wolf enthusiasts extremely unhappy. However, when Crystal Reed decided to leave the show, killing her off was the only thing the writers agreed would be true to her character. She was incredibly strong and resilient – and will forever be missed.

Which death on our list affected you the most? Sign off in the comments!

If you haven’t been living under a rock for the past few months, you certainly heard about the scandal surrounding Bill Cosby. The 77-year old comedian is accused of sexually assaulting numerous women, with alleged incidents dating back to 1965. Although these accusations ended up costing Cosby his new NBC show and his Netflix special, they didn’t lead to criminal charges yet. However, the victims’ tales of assault bear similarities; taken together, the allegations paint a truly disturbing picture. We’ve gathered them all below.

Kristina Ruehli

Kristina Ruehli, now 71, claimed that Cosby sexually assaulted her when she was a 22-year-old secretary at a talent agency in Beverly Hills. You can read the whole story in Philadelphia Magazine, who interviewed the now grandmother of eight. According to Ruehli, the comedian invited her to a party held at his home. When she got there, though, it turns out she was the only guest. She claims to have had a cocktail with Cosby and suddenly pass out. When she woke up, she told the magazine that Cosby tried to force her to perform oral sex on him. The incident would have taken place in 1965.

Carla Ferrigno

Carla Ferrigno opened up about an alleged incident that took place in 1967 on KFI-AM’s John and Ken Show on November 20. She claims that he was invited on a double date with Cosby and his wife. After that they ended up at Cosby’s home, where the comedian allegedly kissed her roughly despite her vehement protests.

Joan Tarshis

Joan Tarshis went public about a month ago, claiming that Cosby raped her twice back in 1969, when she was a 19-year old comedy writer. According to her story, the comedian asked her to help create material for his sitcom The Bill Cosby Show.

Victoria Valentino

Valentino, a former Playboy playmate, claimed that Cosby forced her to perform oral sex on him and raped her back in 1970. The reveal was made in an interview for The Washington Post, where you can read the entire tale of the incident.

Louisa Mortiz

According to the actress, Cosby forced her to perform oral sex on him in the dressing room of Johnny Carson’s Tonight Show. The incident would have happened in 1971.

Helen Hayes

Helen Hayes made her accusations in a press conference at the beginning of December, claiming that Cosby approached her from behind, reached over her shoulder and grabbed her right breast. “His behavior was like that of a predator,” Hayes said during the press conference. The incident would have occurred in 1973, at Clint Eastwood’s Celebrity Tennis Tournament.

Judy Huth

Huth took her accusations to court. She filed a suit against Cosby in which she claims that she first met the comedian back in 1974, when she was 15. Cosby took her to a party at the Playboy Mansion where he allegedly sexually assaulted her by taking her hand and making her perform a sex act on him. Los Angeles prosecutors have declined to file any charges.

Tamara Green

Green publicly shared her story on the Today show in 2005. She claims the incident happened in 1975. Cosby allegedly gave her pills that would help with her flu symptoms, but instead almost knocked her out. Green said that Cosby took her back to her home, undressed her, and began groping her. She also wrote an op-ed for ETonline in November.

Therese Serignese

Serignese, now 57, told People magazine that she met Cosby in Las Vegas, in 1976, after one of his stand-up shows, when she was 19 years old. Cosby allegedly offered her a powerful sedative-hypnotic drug and then pressured her into agreeing to engage in sexual activity.

Joyce Emmons

Emmons told TMZ that Cosby gave her a pill that was supposedly for her headache, but caused her to pass out instead. She claims that she woke up in bed with one of Cosby’s friends who had attempted to hit on her earlier that night. The incident would have happened in the late ‘70s, when Emmons ran a number of comedy clubs.

Janice Dickinson

Dickinson claims Cosby invited her to travel to Lake Tahoe to discuss a possible job opportunity back in 1982, after she got out of rehab. After having dinner, Cosby allegedly gave her a pill to help with menstrual cramps. The pill caused her to pass out. According to Dickinson, Cosby then proceeded to sexually assault her.

Renita Chaney Hill

Renita Chaney Hill claims she began a relationship with the comedian in 1982, when she was just 15 years old. According to Hill, Cosby allegedly served her drinks that caused her to lose her consciousness, and she would always wake up in bed. She claims she doesn’t know if Cosby raped her and that she continued to see him until she was 19.

Beth Ferrier

According to Ferrier, she had a months-long consensual affair with Cosby in the early ‘80s. After it ended, she claims that he sexually assaulted her in his dressing room. He allegedly gave her a cup of coffee that caused her to black out.

Beverly Johnson

Johnson claims she was drugged and almost attacked by Cosby after she auditioned for a role on The Cosby Show in the mid ‘80s. She wrote an op-ed for Vanity Fair detailing the incident.

Barbara Bowman

Bowman wrote an article for The Washington Post in November, detailing her struggles to get people to take her story seriously. According to her, Cosby gain her trust by acting like a mentor, back in 1986, before sexually assaulting her on multiple occasions.

Lisa Jones

Jones claims he met Cosby in 1986, when she was 17 and working as a model. Her story is similar to Bowman’s – he acted like a father figure to gain her trust and then allegedly tried to sexually assault her.

Chelan

Chelan, who decided not to make her last name public, also claims to have met Cosby in 1986, when she was 17 and as aspiring model. She says that the actor promised to introduce her to modeling agency reps. However, when she arrived at his hotel room, he allegedly gave her a blue pill and sexually assaulted her.

Jewel Allison

According to Allison, Cosby began contacting her in the late 1980s, offering to mentor her. She claims that she accepted a dinner invitation to Cosby’s home, where he served her a glass of wine. After she had the wine, she started feeling dizzy and collapsed. Later that night, the comedian allegedly assaulted her.

Angela Leslie

Leslie claims Cosby tried to sexually assault her in 1992, in Las Vegas. However, when she refused to drink from the cocktail he prepared, he allegedly kicked her out of his hotel room.

Michelle Hurd

Michelle Hurd claimed in a Facebook post that Cosby was inappropriate with her when she had a small role in The Cosby Mysteries. According to her, Cosby also invited her to his home, but she declined.

Lachelle Covington

Covington, an actress on the sitcom Cosby, filed a police report against the comedian back in 2000 accusing him of making unwanted sexual advances toward her. According to the New York Post, cops never questioned or charged the comedian.

Andrea Constand

Constand claims that Cosby approached her by offering to be her mentor. She says she met with the actor at his home in Pennsylvania and that he gave her pills to ease her anxiety. After allegedly drugging her, Constand claims that Cosby sexually assaulted her. She filed civil charges against Cosby in 2005. The case was settled out of court for an unspecified amount in November 2006.

The Newsroom had its fair share of haters during its three season run. People who said Sorkin hates women. That he doesn’t know how to write conflict. That it’s not cool how his characters talk mostly in monologues. That he’s insensitive. That he’s repetitive and self-righteous. That his show is pompous and condescending.

Viewers and critics alike loved to hate-watch the drama, and they continually attacked its creator for the many issues listed above. He eventually extended an olive branch. Too many monologues? Let’s make fun of that – and that was when Maggie Jordan, to justify the fact that she was giving a monologue about the overabundance of monologues, delivered the line “Everyone does where I work“. Sorkin hates women? Let’s talk a bit about the pay gap and gender equality in the workplace. He tried to accommodate the haters while staying true to his characters. But that’s too little, too late, as hate-watchers are probably thinking. I, however, disagree. About everything.

I’m not defending The Newsroom – simply because I don’t believe there’s anything to defend. I love-watched it the entire time. I fell for the characters (even Maggie), their struggles, and their banter. I enjoyed every scene where the protagonists switched from teasing each other to emotional territory in a heartbeat. I liked that it made me think about issues I had only a vague idea about and pushed me to learn more. And what’s truly amazing is that the show fueled hundreds of online discussions about the media, about important issues, about our behavior as consumers. It made us wonder how the media should truly function, how the news should ethically be covered, how much the content we obsess over affects what we are given.

The Newsroom had a perfect ensemble cast, brilliant acting, compelling writing, and engaging storylines. It was an inspiring show which I will miss intensely. But let’s talk about about the finale, shall we?

What Kind of Day Has It Been allowed The Newsroom to go out on a high note. The flashback-heavy finale gave fans a glimpse at what happened before the pilot – how Mac got to accept the job at News Night, how Charlie orchestrated the whole thing because he had a dream he wanted to see come true, how Will was lost under the pressure of getting the audience to tune in. The flashbacks were framed by Charlie’s funeral, which gave the entire episode a bittersweet feel, despite some truly laugh-out-funny bits (like the scene where Don and Sloan were blaming each other for Charlie’s demise, for example).

The episode opens with Mac finding out that she’s pregnant, in the middle of the funeral service. She shares the news with Will, who is overwhelmed by joy. Circle of life – that was a tad cliche, but ultimately nice touch. In flashbacks, we get to see how much of a jerk Will really was before he learned everybody’s names. Charlie, fed up with the joke News Night has become to attract viewers, goes after Mac in Washington, where she finds her at a bowling alley. She’s slightly drunk, mostly because she can’t find a new workplace where she can fit in, partly because she’s wearing sweatpants. He offers her the job at News Night. This discussion between the two journalists sharing their similar views on how a news show must look like was one of the highlights of the episode. We also learn via flashbacks that Charlie send Mac a copy of Don Quixote. Touching. Mac finally takes the job and convinces Jim to tag along.

Back in the present, the now pregnant EP of News Night is pulled by Leona into Pruit’s limo for the ride to the cemetery. We find out that Pruit has a big PR crisis – there have been articles on income disparity between men and women at one of his companies and the press also found out he hired hookers for his birthday party. Oops! Mac is confused by why she’s there, Leona offers to help Pruit boost his public image. Later on, she tells Pruit he needs to hire a news director who’ll fight with him to ensure that they will end up with a quality show. And who better to promote than a woman? Long story short: that’s how Mac steps into Charlie’s footsteps and becomes the new news director of ACN.

Elsewhere, Sloan and Don are definitely one of my favorite couples on TV. Their chemistry is amazing. And now we even got confirmation that Sloan was into Don from the very beginning. They met when the financial reporter drilled the EP about a financial news story that was handled poorly. They had a heated argument, that was eventually resolved a few days later, when Don admitted the story wasn’t right and told her he was replaced as EP from the 8 PM slot, moving to 10. She wanted to ask him out, but didn’t pursue him because he was with Maggie. Aw!

Speaking of, Maggie has the chance to interview for a job in DC, one that Jim recommended her for. Because she’s good, not because he doesn’t want her in his immediate vicinity. When Mac is promoted, she also promotes Jim to EP (her old job). His first order of business: make Maggie a senior producer, so she can stay at News Night. Maggie really wants the field producer job though, so they’re going to try long distance. And apparently it’s going to work, because Jim loves Maggie. And most likely Maggie loves Jim as well.

Other thoughts:

+ We got a musical moment in a garage. It was kind of corny, but I loved it. Now I’m not going to be able to listen to That’s How I Got to Memphis without thinking of The Newsroom.

+ Neal got back safely, and decided the whole website needs a reboot. Take that, Bree!

+ The moment when Charlie’s wife hands Don’s the tie – *tears*

+ Will speech was also pretty fitting. Charlie was great man indeed. It also highlights Will’s evolution from a self-absorbed prick to a a news man who cares about his team and the quality of his show.

+ Loved how the episode ended, with everyone getting ready for a new edition of News Night.

+ Sloan, I’ll miss you the most.

I want more. I want to see Mac yell at Pruit. I want to see Jim trying to do Mac’s job. I want to see Maggie making it in DC. Unfortunately, it’s a wrap. All that’s left to say is thank you, Sorkin, you magnificient bastard!

I can’t believe that the first episode of Bones aired almost 10 years ago. The show certainly grew in a wonderful way, the characters evolved, the dynamics changed; but Bones somehow managed to preserve its charm and novelty as years went by.

The 200th episode aired on Thursday, and it was everything fans could ever wish for: familiar faces coming back for the reunion, a unique setting, and a captivating story that shows Bones knows how to really have fun when it’s not busy crushing us with all that drama. Set in the ‘50s, The 200th in the 10th really captured the spirit of the decade, at the same time allowing the characters to stay true to who they are, for the most part (‘50s Cam was really different from today’s Cam, don’t you agree?).

In honor of the shows special anniversary, we came up with ten reasons why Bones remains one of the greatest shows on television.

Temperance

Temperance Brennan isn’t perfect, not by a long shot. She’s cold, abrasive, and annoyingly logical. Which only makes us love her more. Bones is a unique combination of intelligence and social awkwardness; she has a compelling back story and her own view of the world which she isn’t shy to share, even when the circumstances get uncomfortable. She’s fierce, but also vulnerable. She’s tough, but also sensitive. As years went by, she learns how to become more open, consider other points of view, and allow herself to have a happy ending. Seeing her evolve has been a highly enjoyable experience. More, please!

Bones and Booth

The relationship between these two has always been magical. Everyone could see that they have chemistry from the very beginning; however, the showrunners were set on testing our patience. When they finally got together, it was everything we ever wanted and more. Their love is an inspiration – they’re different in so many aspects, but they found a way to make those differences work. What’s even more awesome is that we had the chance to see their relationship deepen over time. They went from coworkers to partners and really close friends before they both admitted they’re crazy about each other. So sweet!

The squinterns

The squinterns’ rotation is one of the things that keeps the show fresh. Each episode, another intern assists Brennan on the case; and they all bring their unique stories and problems into the mix. From Daisy, who just had a baby, to Wendell, who’s dealing with a life-threatening illness, to Jessica, who craves a certain dose “creativity” in science, contrasting with Brennan’s refusal to speculate. They’re a fun bunch, all intriguing in their own way. We can’t decide who our favorite is.

Aubrey

We loved Sweets, and his death was one of the most traumatic scenes we had to endure this year on television. When Aubrey showed up, he initially felt as a poor replacement, we’ll give you that. However, as we got to know more about him, he slowly made his way to our hearts. He’s goofy, incredibly intelligent, with solid case-solving abilities and a slight eccentricity which helps him fit right in. Welcome to the family! You’ll love it here.

It’s funny!

The show always manages to tickle our funny bone. Funky experiments, witty one-liners, clumsy social encounters – the show really knows how to keep a fine balance between drama and fun. Which brings us to…

The emotional rollercoaster

Ah, the feels! We rooted for Bones and Booth for years, we were ecstatic when Angela and Hodgins got together, we welcomed babies on the show, mourned people we cared about, we witnessed emotional stories unraveling and we were shocked by crazy plot twists. It was a great ride.

The science

There are plenty of things that Bones thought us as years went by. So much that we actually became fluent in squint talk. Sure, if you’re a fan you can easily pick up the names of bones, muscles, and fracture patterns. However, the show also does a good job at including useful bits of trivia you never knew you would find interesting. For instance, did you know that the person with the highest recorded IQ is Marilyn Vos Savant? Only one of the many things we learned from Temperance. Also, Donna Cline, the forensic technical adviser for the series, always makes sure that the cases are as scientifically accurate as possible. So does Kathy Reichs, the forensic anthropologist whose life inspired the show. She’s an executive producer.

The gruesome corpses

The show has some of the most gruesome corpses on television. If you don’t have a strong stomach, we strongly advise you not to consume food while watching it. The gore plays well with the lighter tone of the series though, so we’re not complaining. It’s actually interesting to see how creative the creators of the show can get when it comes to murdering fictional folk.

The experiments

Hodgins is king of the lab for a reason: his experiments are either deeply amusing or extremely interesting. In short, extremely fun to watch. The Angelatron is also a thing of beauty.

It’s not afraid to tackle big issues

Bones was never afraid to tackle serious issues: rape, abuse, the foster system, child soldiers, forgotten veterans – to only name a few. It does so with grace and compassion, managing to raise awareness about these severe matters in the process.

All in all, Bones is a great show, with brilliant casting, fascinating story lines, and plenty of banter which keeps viewers coming  back for more.

What’s your favorite thing about the show? Sound off in the comments!

Taylor Swift turns 25 today, so it’s only natural we’re compelled to celebrate her awesomeness. It was a huge year for the pop sensation, whose remarkable career continues on an upward path. Her name was constantly in the headlines, her tunes toped charts from all around the world, her videos instantly became viral sensations. Here are five reasons why Taylor should officially be recognized as Queen of 2014.

She released 1989

Last month, 1989 debuted atop the Billboard 200, with the biggest sales week for an album since 2002: 1.29 million copies, according to Nielsen Music. In August, Shake It Off became Swift’s second Billboard Hot 100 No. 1. It stayed there until it was bumped by Blank Space in early November. That’s when Taylor became the first female artist to ever replace herself atop that chart. No wonder Billboard named her Woman of the Year.

She’s great to her fans

Despite her incredible popularity, Taylor Swift still makes it a priority to connect with her fans. She sometimes responds to them in candid ways on social networks, she joined Tumblr to be closer to their hearts, and she even invites them over to listen to her album before everyone else. As a Swiftie, what more could you possibly wish for?

She mentored on The Voice

Taylor’s busy year included mentoring on The Voice, where she helped contestants improve their performances. She was a sweetheart, and she made a great team with the coaches: Blake Shelton, Gwen Stefani, Pharrell Williams, and Adam Levine.

She made a stand

Taylor Swift shocked a lot of people this year when she decided to pull all of her albums from Spotify. Apparently the website was pressuring her to upload 1989 as well, and she didn’t want to give in. Earlier this year, she wrote an op-ed piece on the state of the music industry in The Wall Street Journal, where she stated that: “Music is art, and art is important and rare. Important, rare things are valuable. Valuable things should be paid for.”

She starred in a movie

After a minor appearance in the TV show New Girl back in 2013, Taylor hit the big screens this year with a cameo in The Giver, a movie based on the 1993 award-winning book. She plays Rosemary, the Receiver of Memory that failed and brought some memories back to the Community. You go, girl!

Taylor Swift, we’re truly glad you were born. Happy Birthday!

Daydreaming about sipping hot cocoa in your warm pajamas, making traveling arrangements in your head, shopping for gifts during your lunch break – when you have an office job, Christmas can’t seem to come soon enough. And for those December days when your slight boredom seems to degenerate into full-on hatred, we have ten movies to tide you over until the burning desire to hand in your resignation dials down a bit. After all, you need to pay for all those gifts and Christmas cards somehow.

Office Space (1999)

This one is a classic. Even though Office Space was released back in 1999, it remains a cult film, satirizing work life in a typical mid-to-late-1990s software company. The movie focuses on a handful of individuals fed up with their jobs who decide to rebel against their greedy boss. It’s the perfect medicine for the pains of working in a boring office environment. Also, it stars Berger for Sex and the City. Maybe you consider that a plus (I do, I very much liked Berger, despite his tasteless post-it).

The Devil Wears Prada (2006)

Is your boss particularly difficult this time of year? Maybe they’re just stressing over the fact that they need to end 2014 on a profit. Or maybe s/he is a truly awful person. Whatever it is, they got nothing on Miranda Priestly. After watching The Devil Wears Prada, you will no longer think that staying late to finish up a project is such a bad punishment. After all, at least no one expects you to walk your supervisor’s huge dog while wearing heels (and if they do, quit ASAP; life shouldn’t be this hard).

Working Girl (1988)

Another oldie but goldie. Working Girl is the perfect tale of a regular girl trying to make it in the dog-eat-dog world of New York high finance. Melanie Griffin plays a frustrated secretary who takes advantage of the fact that her villainous boss broke her leg and proceeds to take her place. All in the effort to advance her career. A charming comedy about a girl who’s doing her best to climb the corporate ladder and isn’t afraid to take a more unconventional path to get to the top. The movie was nominated for six Oscars.

Clerks (1994)

If you’re looking for tips on how to kill time at a job you dread, this is the movie for you. A Kevin Smith classic, Clerks will teach you how to have a full day at work without actually working. All Dante and Randal do is annoy clients, play hockey on the store roof, and leave the store during the day to tend to personal matters. None of which are included in the job descriptions.

Fight Club (1999)

I’m going to break the first rule of Fight Club and tell you that if you haven’t seen this movie yet you should emerge from under that rock you’ve been living for the past 15 years and watch it immediately. It’s a unique movie about choices, apathy, and realizing that you somehow threw your dreams out the window along the way. Now that I think about it, I would actually love to be able to experience Fight Club for the first time again. You’re lucky. Enjoy.

The Secret Life of Walter Mitty (2013)

Walter Mitty is a daydreaming employee perpetually taunted by his new boss and coworkers. When his job is threaten, he embarks on a real-life adventure that turns more epic that he could have ever anticipated. Even though he ends up being fired, Mitty still goes out with a bang. A movie that doesn’t take itself seriously and joyfully celebrates life.

American Beauty (1999)

Lester rebels against a dead-end job and passionless marriage by developing a mid-life crisis which enables him to leave his corporate career behind and start working at a fast food restaurant. American Beauty is a wonderful psychological drama, a satire about the American life, a deep and dark movie people are still raving about today. And for good reason.

Nine to Five (1980)

Nine to Five is an 80′s flick about a misogynistic manager whose favorite pastime activity is making his employees’ lives hell. Jane Fonda, Lily Tomlin, and Dolly Parton, three eager staffers, find a creative way to turn the tables on him. The perfect movie to watch when you’re dreaming about getting even with your boss. But maybe don’t take things this far, OK?

Horrible Bosses (2011)

Three different horrible bosses to hate and enough comedy to entertain you for an hour and a half. Even though the plot of Horrible Bosses may push things too far (until they pretty much spiral too out of control to be plausible in real life), seeing these heinous employers getting what they deserve is oddly satisfying. The sequel was released recently – you might still be able to catch it in theaters.

Clockwatchers (1997)

Four girls, four dreams, one office. Clockwatchers follows the story of four young temporary office workers  (played by Parker Posey, Toni Collette, Lisa Kudrow, and Alanna Ubach) in an office complex. The movie manages to capture the hassles and struggles that come with working for low wages and being mistrusted by full-time employees. All four women view their work as a temporary means to an end, a way to kill time until they manage to accomplish their bigger goals (which vary from marrying rich to landing a full-time gig). A witty comedy always worth a re-watch; especially after a dreadful day at the office.

What’s your favorite movie to watch after an abominable day at work? Sound off in the comments!

I really missed the days when my TVD viewing hours were spent screaming in front of the screen because of my unhealthy investment in the show’s storylines. Luckily, they’re back. “Christmas Through Your Eyes” was an excellent winter finale: bittersweet, intense, slightly traumatizing; exactly what you crave when you watch a teen drama involving love triangles and supernatural beings. I’ll consider it an early Christmas present from Julie Plec… and now I feel bad I haven’t bought her anything.

Since the subject of early Christmas presents came up, Kai procured one for himself – a face-to-face with his twin sister. After grabbing Jo from the hospital, “sociopathic Ryan Reynolds” convinces Liv, Luke and Tyler to retrieve the knife containing her magic from Damon’s super-secret hiding place. He tries to force the magic back into Jo, but apparently it doesn’t work that way. Since Jo gave up her magic by choice, she needs to decide to take it back. Nothing a little game of “let’s kill Liv in a brutal way” can’t fix. All in all, Jo got her groove back, and she’s ready to fight off her brother as she was always supposed to.

Damon and Alaric arrive to the rescue and even manage to restrain Kai for a little while, but this season’s villain isn’t one to let a pair of feeble chains stand between him and his burning desire to… bring on the Apocalypse? Rebrand pagers so they become cool again? Steal Blake Lively from sane Ryan Reynolds? I’m not exactly sure what him ruling the Gemini would look like, but let’s say it comes with serious perks. Consequently, he figures out a clever way to suck up all the magic from the Travelers’ spell that made Mystic Falls a no-magic zone. And he doesn’t stop there. Later on, he puts a cloaking spell on Elena, who doesn’t get to tell Damon how awesome she thinks he is yet again. Why, you ask? Isn’t he a Delena shipper? I guess we’ll have to wait until January to find out.

Elsewhere:

+ It’s been clear from the very beginning that The Vampire Diaries is a show who hates parental figures, so I was beyond happy with the wonderful relationship we got to witness between Caroline and Sheriff Forbes during the last months. The sheriff even came to Whitmore to bring Christmas to Caroline, since she was unable to enter Mystic Falls. Aww.

And then it all went down the drain when the sheriff was rushed to the hospital and it was revealed she has a glioblastoma that has now spread to her brain stem. It was devastating. Surgery is out of the question and vampire blood can’t cure cancer (which makes sense actually, since vampire blood heals wounds by regenerating cells; it would only cause the cancer to grow), so now Caroline has to deal with the fact that her great mother is dying. From natural causes nonetheless. And she can do anything about it. My heart aches. I think that Sheriff Forbes acted like a parental figure for everybody on the show during the last years, so seeing her go won’t be easy for anyone.

Caroline is crushed by the news, which is to be expected, but Stefan’s there this time to offer some much-needed comfort. He truly acted like a friend, which kinda makes me want to forgive him for some of the crap he pulled during the first episodes of the season. He’s not completely redeemed, but he’s getting there.

+ Bonnie’s storyline was heartbreaking as well. Still stuck in 1994 by herself and missing the hell out of her friends, she tries to recreate some of the cheerful memories she shared with them many years ago. She even manages to find a Christmas tree and decorates it before setting it on fire. The scene where she and Jeremy both look at the Christmas tree 18 years apart and pine after each other was sad and wonderful and perfect. I can’t wait for Bonnie to come back to the present.

+ The award for the most ridiculous storyline of the episode goes to Matt and Enzo. After capturing Enzo with the help of Jeremy, Matt decides that instead of killing him instantaneously, as it would be logical under the circumstances, he wants to make Enzo suffer. So he throws the vampire in the back of a van and drives him through Mystic Falls just by the time Kai finishes up absorbing all the magic from the Travelers’ spell. Bad timing for Matt, Christmas miracle for Enzo. Who then, instead of killing Matt for revenge, as a sane vampire would probably do, decides to let him live. And proceeds to confess how jealous he is of Stefan because he has everything. Dude, you’re a good-looking, badass vampire with a cute accent. Go get your own girls. Make your own friends. Rule your own planet. Apparently mighty vamps can have self-esteem issues as well. Who would have guessed?

Other thoughts:

# I liked the fact that Liv actually believes Jo can defeat Kai. Why did everyone assume otherwise? Feminists, unite!

# Damon was highly entertaining this episode. “That’s it? We’re gonna kill bad guys together and you’re not even going to talk to me?” (referring to Jeremy and Matt) “Beavis and Butthead are on the lookout.” “Can I ask why we continuously compromise logic for some girl you just met?” Awesome.

# Kai continues to be a sociopath, but he’s an extremely charming sociopath. I still don’t want him to go anywhere yet.

# The flashbacks were very, very cute.

# Also loved the scene where the Salvatore brothers return to their home.

# I think my biggest dream for 2015 is to hear Jeremy say “Bring back my Bonnie to me.”

Overall, a compelling episode that made for a pretty cool winter finale. The Vampire Diaries returns on January 22.