{"id":35007,"date":"2026-08-09T19:30:35","date_gmt":"2026-08-09T14:30:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/?p=35007"},"modified":"2026-08-09T19:30:35","modified_gmt":"2026-08-09T14:30:35","slug":"star-trek-finally-shouts-out-tom-cruise-in-an-unexpectedly-funny-way","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/?p=35007","title":{"rendered":"Star Trek Finally Shouts Out Tom Cruise (In An Unexpectedly Funny Way)"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><script>\r\n  atOptions = {\r\n    'key' : '644b717812d811d6a1c1fc5b6ccd6fa6',\r\n    'format' : 'iframe',\r\n    'height' : 90,\r\n    'width' : 728,\r\n    'params' : {}\r\n  };\r\n<\/script>\r\n<script src=\"https:\/\/www.highperformanceformat.com\/644b717812d811d6a1c1fc5b6ccd6fa6\/invoke.js\"><\/script>\r\n<br \/>\n<\/p>\n<div xmlns:default=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\">\n<p><span class=\"article-alert\">Warning: SPOILERS for Star Trek: Strange New Worlds Season 4, Episode 3 &#8211; &#8220;Human Best Friend&#8221;<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/screenrant.com\/db\/tv-show\/star-trek-strange-new-worlds\/\" target=\"_blank\"><em><strong>Star Trek: Strange New Worlds<\/strong><\/em><\/a> unexpectedly and hilariously shouted out Tom Cruise and one of his classic movies from the 1980s. Directed by Yana Gorskaya and written by Kathryn Lyn, <em>Star Trek: Strange New Worlds <\/em>season 4, episode 3, &#8220;Human Best Friend&#8221; teams up Lieutenants Erica Ortegas (Melissa Navia) and Scotty (Martin Quinn) on a madcap adventure inspired by <em>The Hangover.<\/em><\/p>\n<p>    <!-- No AdsNinja v10 Client! --><\/p>\n<p>For the last four decades, <em>Star Trek<\/em> and Tom Cruise have been cornerstones at Paramount. Cruise remains one of the biggest movie stars in the world, thanks to the <em>Top Gun<\/em> and Mission: <em>Impossible<\/em> franchises.<em> Star Trek<\/em> preceded Cruise&#8217;s rise at Paramount, delivering multiple hit movies and TV series. Paramount Skydance still considers both to be crown jewel IPs, and is developing <em>Top Gun 3<\/em> and <a href=\"https:\/\/screenrant.com\/star-trek-movie-timeline-character-details-johnathan-goldstein-john-francis-daley\/\" target=\"_blank\">new <em>Star Trek<\/em> movies<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>However, Tom Cruise and <em>Star Trek<\/em> have never directly intersected. Cruise&#8217;s name was mentioned early in the development of J.J. Abrams&#8217; 2009 <em>Star Trek <\/em>reboot, while Leonard Nimoy and several <a href=\"https:\/\/screenrant.com\/star-trek-mission-impossible-actors\/\" target=\"_blank\"><em>Star Trek <\/em>actors also starred in the classic <em>Mission: Impossible<\/em><\/a> series that Cruise&#8217;s movie franchise is based upon. Simon Pegg, who played Scotty in Abrams&#8217; trilogy, teamed with Cruise&#8217;s Ethan Hunt on-screen.<\/p>\n<p>    <!-- No AdsNinja v10 Client! --><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"star-trek-strange-new-worlds-hilariously-shouts-out-tom-cruise-rsquo-s-cocktail\">\n                        Star Trek: Strange New Worlds Hilariously Shouts Out Tom Cruise\u2019s Cocktail<br \/>\n               <\/h2>\n<div class=\"body-img landscape mobile-optimized\">\n<div class=\"responsive-img  image-expandable  img-article-item\" style=\"padding-bottom:56.25%\" data-img-url=\"https:\/\/static0.srcdn.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/m-benga-is-a-bartender.jpg\" data-modal-id=\"single-image-modal\" data-modal-container-id=\"single-image-modal-container\" data-img-caption=\"&quot;Image credit: Paramount+&quot;\">\n<figure><picture><source media=\"(max-width: 480px)\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/static0.srcdn.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/m-benga-is-a-bartender.jpg?q=49&amp;fit=crop&amp;w=500&amp;dpr=2\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static0.srcdn.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/m-benga-is-a-bartender.jpg?q=49&amp;fit=crop&amp;w=500&amp;dpr=2\"\/><source media=\"(max-width: 767px)\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/static0.srcdn.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/m-benga-is-a-bartender.jpg?q=49&amp;fit=crop&amp;w=800&amp;dpr=2\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static0.srcdn.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/m-benga-is-a-bartender.jpg?q=49&amp;fit=crop&amp;w=800&amp;dpr=2\"\/><source media=\"(max-width: 1023px)\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/static0.srcdn.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/m-benga-is-a-bartender.jpg?q=49&amp;fit=crop&amp;w=825&amp;dpr=2\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static0.srcdn.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/m-benga-is-a-bartender.jpg?q=49&amp;fit=crop&amp;w=825&amp;dpr=2\"\/><img width=\"1650\" height=\"928\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" alt=\"M'Benga is a bartender\" data-img-url=\"https:\/\/static0.srcdn.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/m-benga-is-a-bartender.jpg?q=49&amp;fit=crop&amp;w=825&amp;dpr=2\" src=\"https:\/\/static0.srcdn.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/m-benga-is-a-bartender.jpg?q=49&amp;fit=crop&amp;w=825&amp;dpr=2\"\/>\n        <\/picture><small class=\"body-img-caption\">Image credit: Paramount+<\/small><\/figure>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>Dr. Joseph M&#8217;Benga (Babs Olusanmokun) referencing Tom Cruise&#8217;s <em>Cocktail <\/em>in <a href=\"https:\/\/screenrant.com\/star-trek-strange-new-worlds-season-4-episode-3-ending-explained\/\" target=\"_blank\"><em>Star Trek: Strange New Worlds<\/em> season 4, episode 3<\/a> was unexpected and hilarious. High from the intoxicating atmosphere of the resort planet Cesnar, M&#8217;Benga turned into a happy bartender, flipping bottles like Cruise&#8217;s movie character, Brian Flanagan.<\/p>\n<aside class=\"display-card  article article-card small  no-badge  active-content                              \" data-include-community-rating=\"false\" id=\"anson-mount-interview-star-trek-strange-new-worlds\" data-nosnippet=\"\">\n<p>                                                                                                                            <a href=\"https:\/\/screenrant.com\/anson-mount-interview-star-trek-strange-new-worlds\/\"><br \/>\n                        <img width=\"440\" height=\"248\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Anson Mount ScreenRant Cover Story (2026)\" data-img-url=\"https:\/\/static0.srcdn.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/anson-mount-screenrant-cover-story-2026.jpg?q=49&amp;fit=crop&amp;w=220&amp;h=124&amp;dpr=2\" src=\"https:\/\/static0.srcdn.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/anson-mount-screenrant-cover-story-2026.jpg?q=49&amp;fit=crop&amp;w=220&amp;h=124&amp;dpr=2\"\/><\/p>\n<p>                    <\/a><\/p>\n<p>                    <span data-field=\"label\" class=\"article-card-label\"><label>Related<\/label><\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"w-display-card-content regular article-block\">\n<h5 class=\"display-card-title \">\n<p>\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/screenrant.com\/anson-mount-interview-star-trek-strange-new-worlds\/\" title=\"Anson Mount Was Destined For Star Trek Long Before Strange New Worlds\" target=\"_blank\"><br \/>\n\t\t\tAnson Mount Was Destined For Star Trek Long Before Strange New Worlds<br \/>\n\t\t<\/a><br \/>\n\t<\/h5>\n<p class=\"display-card-excerpt\">Anson Mount discusses his biggest acting roles and the thread running throughout that led him to play Captain Pike on Star Trek: Strange New Worlds.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p>Unfortunately, M&#8217;Benga is a better physician than a bartender. Butterfingers Joseph drops his bottles behind the bar and is nonplussed as he keeps making drinks, including pouring <a href=\"https:\/\/screenrant.com\/star-trek-strange-new-worlds-scotty-tng-it-is-green\/\" target=\"_blank\">Scotty something that he described as, <em>&#8220;It&#8217;s green.&#8221;<\/em><\/a> Back with his druthers aboard the USS Enterprise at the end of &#8220;Human Best Friend,&#8221; M&#8217;Benga does a better job flipping bottles and pouring cocktails.<\/p>\n<p><em>Cocktail<\/em> was a hit movie for Paramount in 1988 that helped cement Tom Cruise as a movie star despite poor reviews. Almost 40 years later, <em>Cocktail <\/em>is best remembered for how cool Cruise and Bryan Brown&#8217;s acrobatic flare bartending looked and the chart-topping song &#8220;Kokomo&#8221; by The Beach Boys rather than the movie&#8217;s characters or story.<\/p>\n<p>Tom Cruise&#8217;s bottle flipping and drink pouring in <em>Cocktail <\/em>doesn&#8217;t look easy, and the inebriated Dr. M&#8217;Benga proved it isn&#8217;t. In a <em>Star Trek: Strange New Worlds<\/em> comedy derived from <em>The Hangover<\/em> and<em> Dude, Where&#8217;s My Car?<\/em>, Joseph&#8217;s Cocktail callouts were laugh-inducing sight gags.<\/p>\n<p>    <!-- No AdsNinja v10 Client! --><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"tom-cruise-rsquo-s-cocktail-has-another-star-trek-connection\">\n                        Tom Cruise\u2019s Cocktail Has Another Star Trek Connection<br \/>\n               <\/h2>\n<div class=\"body-img landscape mobile-optimized\">\n<div class=\"responsive-img  image-expandable  img-article-item\" style=\"padding-bottom:56.197916666667%\" data-img-url=\"https:\/\/static0.srcdn.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/tom-cruise-lawrence-luckinbill-and-elisabeth-shue-in-cocktail.jpg\" data-modal-id=\"single-image-modal\" data-modal-container-id=\"single-image-modal-container\" data-img-caption=\"&quot;Image credit: MovieStillsDB&quot;\">\n<figure><picture><source media=\"(max-width: 480px)\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/static0.srcdn.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/tom-cruise-lawrence-luckinbill-and-elisabeth-shue-in-cocktail.jpg?q=49&amp;fit=crop&amp;w=500&amp;dpr=2\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static0.srcdn.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/tom-cruise-lawrence-luckinbill-and-elisabeth-shue-in-cocktail.jpg?q=49&amp;fit=crop&amp;w=500&amp;dpr=2\"\/><source media=\"(max-width: 767px)\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/static0.srcdn.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/tom-cruise-lawrence-luckinbill-and-elisabeth-shue-in-cocktail.jpg?q=49&amp;fit=crop&amp;w=800&amp;dpr=2\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static0.srcdn.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/tom-cruise-lawrence-luckinbill-and-elisabeth-shue-in-cocktail.jpg?q=49&amp;fit=crop&amp;w=800&amp;dpr=2\"\/><source media=\"(max-width: 1023px)\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/static0.srcdn.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/tom-cruise-lawrence-luckinbill-and-elisabeth-shue-in-cocktail.jpg?q=49&amp;fit=crop&amp;w=825&amp;dpr=2\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static0.srcdn.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/tom-cruise-lawrence-luckinbill-and-elisabeth-shue-in-cocktail.jpg?q=49&amp;fit=crop&amp;w=825&amp;dpr=2\"\/><img width=\"1650\" height=\"928\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Tom Cruise Lawrence Luckinbill and Elisabeth Shue in Cocktail\" data-img-url=\"https:\/\/static0.srcdn.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/tom-cruise-lawrence-luckinbill-and-elisabeth-shue-in-cocktail.jpg?q=49&amp;fit=crop&amp;w=825&amp;dpr=2\" src=\"https:\/\/static0.srcdn.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/tom-cruise-lawrence-luckinbill-and-elisabeth-shue-in-cocktail.jpg?q=49&amp;fit=crop&amp;w=825&amp;dpr=2\"\/>\n        <\/picture><small class=\"body-img-caption\">Image credit: MovieStillsDB<\/small><\/figure>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>Just a year after <em>Cocktail <\/em>premiered in theaters, however, Tom Cruise&#8217;s bartending fantasy gained a direct connection to <em>Star Trek.<\/em> Director William Shatner cast Lawrence Luckinbill as the villainous Sybok, the Vulcan half-brother of Spock (Leonard Nimoy), in <em><a href=\"https:\/\/screenrant.com\/star-trek-5-ending-explainer\/\" target=\"_blank\">Star Trek V: The Final Frontier<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n<div class=\"w-display-card-vignette\">\n    <!-- SVG DEFS for Starfleet Delta --><br \/>\n<svg style=\"position:absolute;width:0;height:0\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n  <defs>\n    <symbol id=\"delta\" viewbox=\"0 0 100 120\">\n      <path d=\"M50 5 L90 110 Q50 85 10 110 Z\" fill=\"currentColor\" stroke=\"none\"\/>\n      <ellipse cx=\"50\" cy=\"72\" rx=\"8\" ry=\"10\" fill=\"rgba(0,0,0,.35)\"\/>\n    <\/symbol>\n  <\/defs>\n<\/svg><\/p>\n<div class=\"st-quiz\">\n<p>  <canvas class=\"st-particles\" id=\"st-particles\"\/><\/p>\n<p>  <!-- DELTA WATERMARK --><\/p>\n<p>  <!-- STEP RADIOS --><br \/>\n  <input type=\"radio\" id=\"st-s0\" name=\"st-step\" checked=\"checked\"\/><br \/>\n  <input type=\"radio\" id=\"st-s1\" name=\"st-step\"\/><br \/>\n  <input type=\"radio\" id=\"st-s2\" name=\"st-step\"\/><br \/>\n  <input type=\"radio\" id=\"st-s3\" name=\"st-step\"\/><br \/>\n  <input type=\"radio\" id=\"st-s4\" name=\"st-step\"\/><br \/>\n  <input type=\"radio\" id=\"st-s5\" name=\"st-step\"\/><br \/>\n  <input type=\"radio\" id=\"st-s6\" name=\"st-step\"\/><br \/>\n  <input type=\"radio\" id=\"st-s7\" name=\"st-step\"\/><br \/>\n  <input type=\"radio\" id=\"st-s8\" name=\"st-step\"\/><br \/>\n  <input type=\"radio\" id=\"st-sR\" name=\"st-step\"\/><\/p>\n<p>  <!-- QUESTION RADIOS --><br \/>\n  <input type=\"radio\" id=\"st-q1a\" name=\"st-q1\"\/><input type=\"radio\" id=\"st-q1b\" name=\"st-q1\"\/><input type=\"radio\" id=\"st-q1c\" name=\"st-q1\"\/><input type=\"radio\" id=\"st-q1d\" name=\"st-q1\"\/><br \/>\n  <input type=\"radio\" id=\"st-q2a\" name=\"st-q2\"\/><input type=\"radio\" id=\"st-q2b\" name=\"st-q2\"\/><input type=\"radio\" id=\"st-q2c\" name=\"st-q2\"\/><input type=\"radio\" id=\"st-q2d\" name=\"st-q2\"\/><br \/>\n  <input type=\"radio\" id=\"st-q3a\" name=\"st-q3\"\/><input type=\"radio\" id=\"st-q3b\" name=\"st-q3\"\/><input type=\"radio\" id=\"st-q3c\" name=\"st-q3\"\/><input type=\"radio\" id=\"st-q3d\" name=\"st-q3\"\/><br \/>\n  <input type=\"radio\" id=\"st-q4a\" name=\"st-q4\"\/><input type=\"radio\" id=\"st-q4b\" name=\"st-q4\"\/><input type=\"radio\" id=\"st-q4c\" name=\"st-q4\"\/><input type=\"radio\" id=\"st-q4d\" name=\"st-q4\"\/><br \/>\n  <input type=\"radio\" id=\"st-q5a\" name=\"st-q5\"\/><input type=\"radio\" id=\"st-q5b\" name=\"st-q5\"\/><input type=\"radio\" id=\"st-q5c\" name=\"st-q5\"\/><input type=\"radio\" id=\"st-q5d\" name=\"st-q5\"\/><br \/>\n  <input type=\"radio\" id=\"st-q6a\" name=\"st-q6\"\/><input type=\"radio\" id=\"st-q6b\" name=\"st-q6\"\/><input type=\"radio\" id=\"st-q6c\" name=\"st-q6\"\/><input type=\"radio\" id=\"st-q6d\" name=\"st-q6\"\/><br \/>\n  <input type=\"radio\" id=\"st-q7a\" name=\"st-q7\"\/><input type=\"radio\" id=\"st-q7b\" name=\"st-q7\"\/><input type=\"radio\" id=\"st-q7c\" name=\"st-q7\"\/><input type=\"radio\" id=\"st-q7d\" name=\"st-q7\"\/><br \/>\n  <input type=\"radio\" id=\"st-q8a\" name=\"st-q8\"\/><input type=\"radio\" id=\"st-q8b\" name=\"st-q8\"\/><input type=\"radio\" id=\"st-q8c\" name=\"st-q8\"\/><input type=\"radio\" id=\"st-q8d\" name=\"st-q8\"\/><\/p>\n<p>  <!-- LCARS BAR --><\/p>\n<div class=\"st-slides\">\n<p>    <!-- &#9552;&#9552;&#9552; INTRO &#9552;&#9552;&#9552; --><\/p>\n<section class=\"st-slide st-sl0\">\n<div class=\"st-intro-box\">\n<p>        <span class=\"st-ep-label\">Stardate 47988.1 \u00b7 Crew Assessment<\/span><br \/>\n        <span class=\"st-main-title\">The Final Frontier<br \/>Trivia Challenge<\/span><br \/>\n        <span class=\"st-title-stripe\"><span class=\"ts-cmd\"\/><span class=\"ts-sci\"\/><span class=\"ts-eng\"\/><span class=\"ts-warp\"\/><\/span>\n      <\/div>\n<div class=\"st-era-previews\">\n<p><span class=\"st-era-icon\">\ud83d\ude80<\/span><span class=\"st-era-name\" style=\"color:var(--warp-cyan)\">Ships<\/span><span class=\"st-era-words\">Enterprise!<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span class=\"st-era-icon\">\u2b50<\/span><span class=\"st-era-name\" style=\"color:var(--cmd-gold-bright)\">Crew<\/span><span class=\"st-era-words\">Make it so<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span class=\"st-era-icon\">\u2620<\/span><span class=\"st-era-name\" style=\"color:var(--eng-red-bright)\">Enemies<\/span><span class=\"st-era-words\">Resistance is\u2026<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span class=\"st-era-icon\">\u26a1<\/span><span class=\"st-era-name\" style=\"color:var(--sci-blue-bright)\">Tech<\/span><span class=\"st-era-words\">Warp speed!<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span class=\"st-era-icon\">\ud83d\udcd6<\/span><span class=\"st-era-name\" style=\"color:var(--lcars-lavender)\">Lore<\/span><span class=\"st-era-words\">Live long\u2026<\/span><\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p><label class=\"st-btn-primary\" for=\"st-s1\">ENGAGE \u2192<\/label><\/p>\n<\/section>\n<p>    <!-- &#9552;&#9552;&#9552; Q1: Enterprise Registry &mdash; SHIPS &#9552;&#9552;&#9552; --><\/p>\n<section class=\"st-slide st-sl1\">\n<div class=\"st-question-card\">\n<p>01<\/p>\n<p>        <span class=\"st-question-text\">The USS Enterprise is the most iconic starship in science fiction. What is the registry number of Captain Kirk\u2019s original Enterprise from The Original Series?<\/span>\n      <\/div>\n<p>\n        <label class=\"st-option-btn st-opt-1a\" for=\"st-q1a\"><span class=\"st-option-letter\">A<\/span>NCC-1701-D<\/label><br \/>\n        <label class=\"st-option-btn st-opt-1b\" for=\"st-q1b\"><span class=\"st-option-letter\">B<\/span>NX-01<\/label><br \/>\n        <label class=\"st-option-btn st-opt-1c\" for=\"st-q1c\"><span class=\"st-option-letter\">C<\/span>NCC-1701<\/label><br \/>\n        <label class=\"st-option-btn st-opt-1d\" for=\"st-q1d\"><span class=\"st-option-letter\">D<\/span>NCC-74656<\/label>\n      <\/p>\n<div class=\"st-feedback\">\n<p>\u2713 Correct! NCC-1701 is the registry of Kirk\u2019s original Constitution-class Enterprise. The \u201c-D\u201d suffix belongs to Picard\u2019s Galaxy-class ship, NX-01 is Archer\u2019s Enterprise, and NCC-74656 is Voyager.<\/p>\n<p>\u2717 Red alert! The answer is NCC-1701. Kirk\u2019s original Constitution-class Enterprise carried this now-legendary registry. NCC-1701-D is Picard\u2019s Enterprise from TNG, NX-01 is Captain Archer\u2019s, and NCC-74656 belongs to Voyager.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p><label class=\"st-btn-next\" for=\"st-s2\">NEXT \u2192<\/label><\/p>\n<\/section>\n<p>    <!-- &#9552;&#9552;&#9552; Q2: Spock &mdash; CREW &#9552;&#9552;&#9552; --><\/p>\n<section class=\"st-slide st-sl2\">\n<div class=\"st-question-card\">\n<p>02<\/p>\n<p>        <span class=\"st-question-text\">Kirk\u2019s most trusted officer is a half-human, half-Vulcan science officer famous for his logic and iconic salute. Who is this legendary character?<\/span>\n      <\/div>\n<p>\n        <label class=\"st-option-btn st-opt-2a\" for=\"st-q2a\"><span class=\"st-option-letter\">A<\/span>Data<\/label><br \/>\n        <label class=\"st-option-btn st-opt-2b\" for=\"st-q2b\"><span class=\"st-option-letter\">B<\/span>Spock<\/label><br \/>\n        <label class=\"st-option-btn st-opt-2c\" for=\"st-q2c\"><span class=\"st-option-letter\">C<\/span>Tuvok<\/label><br \/>\n        <label class=\"st-option-btn st-opt-2d\" for=\"st-q2d\"><span class=\"st-option-letter\">D<\/span>Sarek<\/label>\n      <\/p>\n<div class=\"st-feedback\">\n<p>\u2713 Correct! Mr. Spock, played by Leonard Nimoy, is the half-Vulcan science officer whose \u201cLive long and prosper\u201d salute became a cultural icon. His struggle between logic and emotion defines the heart of the Original Series.<\/p>\n<p>\u2717 Red alert! The answer is Spock. Data is an android from TNG, Tuvok is Voyager\u2019s Vulcan tactical officer, and Sarek is Spock\u2019s Vulcan father. Only Spock is the half-human, half-Vulcan first officer of Kirk\u2019s Enterprise.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p><label class=\"st-btn-next\" for=\"st-s3\">NEXT \u2192<\/label><\/p>\n<\/section>\n<p>    <!-- &#9552;&#9552;&#9552; Q3: Prime Directive &mdash; STARFLEET &#9552;&#9552;&#9552; --><\/p>\n<section class=\"st-slide st-sl3\">\n<div class=\"st-question-card\">\n<p>03<\/p>\n<p>        <span class=\"st-question-text\">Starfleet\u2019s most important regulation forbids interference with the natural development of alien civilizations. What is this guiding principle called?<\/span>\n      <\/div>\n<p>\n        <label class=\"st-option-btn st-opt-3a\" for=\"st-q3a\"><span class=\"st-option-letter\">A<\/span>The Temporal Accord<\/label><br \/>\n        <label class=\"st-option-btn st-opt-3b\" for=\"st-q3b\"><span class=\"st-option-letter\">B<\/span>General Order One<\/label><br \/>\n        <label class=\"st-option-btn st-opt-3c\" for=\"st-q3c\"><span class=\"st-option-letter\">C<\/span>The Omega Directive<\/label><br \/>\n        <label class=\"st-option-btn st-opt-3d\" for=\"st-q3d\"><span class=\"st-option-letter\">D<\/span>The Prime Directive<\/label>\n      <\/p>\n<div class=\"st-feedback\">\n<p>\u2713 Correct! The Prime Directive (also known as General Order 1) is Starfleet\u2019s most sacred law. It prohibits interfering with less-developed civilizations \u2014 though Kirk, Picard, and Janeway have all famously bent or broken it when lives were at stake.<\/p>\n<p>\u2717 Red alert! The answer is the Prime Directive. While \u201cGeneral Order One\u201d is technically another name for it, the Prime Directive is the universally known term. The Omega Directive and Temporal Accord are separate, more specialized Starfleet protocols.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p><label class=\"st-btn-next\" for=\"st-s4\">NEXT \u2192<\/label><\/p>\n<\/section>\n<p>    <!-- &#9552;&#9552;&#9552; Q4: Borg &mdash; ENEMIES &#9552;&#9552;&#9552; --><\/p>\n<section class=\"st-slide st-sl4\">\n<div class=\"st-question-card\">\n<p>04<\/p>\n<p>        <span class=\"st-question-text\">\u201cResistance is futile.\u201d This chilling declaration belongs to a cybernetic collective that assimilates entire civilizations into its hive mind. What is this fearsome species called?<\/span>\n      <\/div>\n<p>\n        <label class=\"st-option-btn st-opt-4a\" for=\"st-q4a\"><span class=\"st-option-letter\">A<\/span>The Borg<\/label><br \/>\n        <label class=\"st-option-btn st-opt-4b\" for=\"st-q4b\"><span class=\"st-option-letter\">B<\/span>The Dominion<\/label><br \/>\n        <label class=\"st-option-btn st-opt-4c\" for=\"st-q4c\"><span class=\"st-option-letter\">C<\/span>The Romulans<\/label><br \/>\n        <label class=\"st-option-btn st-opt-4d\" for=\"st-q4d\"><span class=\"st-option-letter\">D<\/span>Species 8472<\/label>\n      <\/p>\n<div class=\"st-feedback\">\n<p>\u2713 Correct! The Borg are Star Trek\u2019s most terrifying villains \u2014 a hive-mind collective that forcibly assimilates species and technology. Captain Picard was famously assimilated and transformed into Locutus in the landmark TNG episode \u201cThe Best of Both Worlds.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u2717 Red alert! The answer is the Borg. The Dominion is the Gamma Quadrant empire from DS9, the Romulans are a rival empire, and Species 8472 is actually one of the few species that the Borg themselves fear. Only the Borg declare \u201cResistance is futile.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p><label class=\"st-btn-next\" for=\"st-s5\">NEXT \u2192<\/label><\/p>\n<\/section>\n<p>    <!-- &#9552;&#9552;&#9552; Q5: Picard Actor &mdash; CAST &#9552;&#9552;&#9552; --><\/p>\n<section class=\"st-slide st-sl5\">\n<div class=\"st-question-card\">\n<p>05<\/p>\n<p>        <span class=\"st-question-text\">Captain Jean-Luc Picard commands the Enterprise-D in The Next Generation and later received his own series, Star Trek: Picard. Which acclaimed actor portrays him?<\/span>\n      <\/div>\n<p>\n        <label class=\"st-option-btn st-opt-5a\" for=\"st-q5a\"><span class=\"st-option-letter\">A<\/span>William Shatner<\/label><br \/>\n        <label class=\"st-option-btn st-opt-5b\" for=\"st-q5b\"><span class=\"st-option-letter\">B<\/span>Avery Brooks<\/label><br \/>\n        <label class=\"st-option-btn st-opt-5c\" for=\"st-q5c\"><span class=\"st-option-letter\">C<\/span>Patrick Stewart<\/label><br \/>\n        <label class=\"st-option-btn st-opt-5d\" for=\"st-q5d\"><span class=\"st-option-letter\">D<\/span>Scott Bakula<\/label>\n      <\/p>\n<div class=\"st-feedback\">\n<p>\u2713 Correct! Sir Patrick Stewart brought gravitas, Shakespeare, and Earl Grey tea to the captain\u2019s chair for seven seasons of TNG, four films, and three seasons of Star Trek: Picard. His \u201cMake it so\u201d is one of TV\u2019s most iconic catchphrases.<\/p>\n<p>\u2717 Red alert! The answer is Patrick Stewart. William Shatner plays Captain Kirk, Avery Brooks is Captain Sisko on Deep Space Nine, and Scott Bakula captains the NX-01 Enterprise. Only Sir Patrick Stewart portrays the legendary Jean-Luc Picard.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p><label class=\"st-btn-next\" for=\"st-s6\">NEXT \u2192<\/label><\/p>\n<\/section>\n<p>    <!-- &#9552;&#9552;&#9552; Q6: Warp Drive &mdash; TECHNOLOGY &#9552;&#9552;&#9552; --><\/p>\n<section class=\"st-slide st-sl6\">\n<div class=\"st-question-card\">\n<p>06<\/p>\n<p>        <span class=\"st-question-text\">Starfleet vessels travel faster than light by bending space around them using a matter-antimatter reaction. What is this propulsion system called?<\/span>\n      <\/div>\n<p>\n        <label class=\"st-option-btn st-opt-6a\" for=\"st-q6a\"><span class=\"st-option-letter\">A<\/span>Transwarp Drive<\/label><br \/>\n        <label class=\"st-option-btn st-opt-6b\" for=\"st-q6b\"><span class=\"st-option-letter\">B<\/span>Warp Drive<\/label><br \/>\n        <label class=\"st-option-btn st-opt-6c\" for=\"st-q6c\"><span class=\"st-option-letter\">C<\/span>Slipstream Drive<\/label><br \/>\n        <label class=\"st-option-btn st-opt-6d\" for=\"st-q6d\"><span class=\"st-option-letter\">D<\/span>Spore Drive<\/label>\n      <\/p>\n<div class=\"st-feedback\">\n<p>\u2713 Correct! Warp Drive is the standard faster-than-light propulsion in Star Trek, powered by dilithium-regulated matter-antimatter reactions. Zefram Cochrane invented it in 2063, which led to humanity\u2019s first contact with the Vulcans.<\/p>\n<p>\u2717 Red alert! The answer is Warp Drive. Transwarp is an advanced Borg technology, Slipstream is an experimental quantum drive, and the Spore Drive uses mycelial network navigation (from Discovery). Standard Starfleet vessels use Warp Drive.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p><label class=\"st-btn-next\" for=\"st-s7\">NEXT \u2192<\/label><\/p>\n<\/section>\n<p>    <!-- &#9552;&#9552;&#9552; Q7: Kobayashi Maru &mdash; LORE &#9552;&#9552;&#9552; --><\/p>\n<section class=\"st-slide st-sl7\">\n<div class=\"st-question-card\">\n<p>07<\/p>\n<p>        <span class=\"st-question-text\">At Starfleet Academy, cadets face a notorious no-win scenario designed to test their character under impossible circumstances. James Kirk is the only cadet who ever beat it \u2014 by cheating. What is this test called?<\/span>\n      <\/div>\n<p>\n        <label class=\"st-option-btn st-opt-7a\" for=\"st-q7a\"><span class=\"st-option-letter\">A<\/span>The Prometheus Trial<\/label><br \/>\n        <label class=\"st-option-btn st-opt-7b\" for=\"st-q7b\"><span class=\"st-option-letter\">B<\/span>The Omega Simulation<\/label><br \/>\n        <label class=\"st-option-btn st-opt-7c\" for=\"st-q7c\"><span class=\"st-option-letter\">C<\/span>The Corbomite Maneuver<\/label><br \/>\n        <label class=\"st-option-btn st-opt-7d\" for=\"st-q7d\"><span class=\"st-option-letter\">D<\/span>The Kobayashi Maru<\/label>\n      <\/p>\n<div class=\"st-feedback\">\n<p>\u2713 Correct! The Kobayashi Maru is an unwinnable rescue simulation that tests how cadets handle certain death. Kirk reprogrammed it so he could win \u2014 earning a commendation for original thinking. It was memorably featured in Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan.<\/p>\n<p>\u2717 Red alert! The answer is the Kobayashi Maru. The Corbomite Maneuver is a TOS episode, not an Academy test. The Kobayashi Maru is the famous no-win scenario that Kirk defeated by reprogramming the simulation \u2014 because he doesn\u2019t believe in the no-win scenario.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p><label class=\"st-btn-next\" for=\"st-s8\">NEXT \u2192<\/label><\/p>\n<\/section>\n<p>    <!-- &#9552;&#9552;&#9552; Q8: Khan &mdash; VILLAINS &#9552;&#9552;&#9552; --><\/p>\n<section class=\"st-slide st-sl8\">\n<div class=\"st-question-card\">\n<p>08<\/p>\n<p>        <span class=\"st-question-text\">In the widely regarded greatest Star Trek film, a genetically enhanced superhuman from Earth\u2019s past seeks revenge against Captain Kirk. \u201cKHAAAAN!\u201d Who is this iconic villain?<\/span>\n      <\/div>\n<p>\n        <label class=\"st-option-btn st-opt-8a\" for=\"st-q8a\"><span class=\"st-option-letter\">A<\/span>Khan Noonien Singh<\/label><br \/>\n        <label class=\"st-option-btn st-opt-8b\" for=\"st-q8b\"><span class=\"st-option-letter\">B<\/span>General Chang<\/label><br \/>\n        <label class=\"st-option-btn st-opt-8c\" for=\"st-q8c\"><span class=\"st-option-letter\">C<\/span>Q<\/label><br \/>\n        <label class=\"st-option-btn st-opt-8d\" for=\"st-q8d\"><span class=\"st-option-letter\">D<\/span>Gul Dukat<\/label>\n      <\/p>\n<div class=\"st-feedback\">\n<p>\u2713 Correct! Khan Noonien Singh, played by Ricardo Montalb\u00e1n, is Star Trek\u2019s greatest villain. First appearing in the TOS episode \u201cSpace Seed,\u201d he returned in The Wrath of Khan (1982) for a devastating revenge plot that cost Spock his life.<\/p>\n<p>\u2717 Red alert! The answer is Khan Noonien Singh. General Chang is a Klingon from Star Trek VI, Q is TNG\u2019s omnipotent trickster, and Gul Dukat is DS9\u2019s Cardassian antagonist. Only Khan inspired Kirk\u2019s legendary scream across the cosmos.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p><label class=\"st-btn-next\" for=\"st-sR\">REVEAL MY SCORE \u2192<\/label><\/p>\n<\/section>\n<p>    <!-- &#9552;&#9552;&#9552; RESULTS &#9552;&#9552;&#9552; --><\/p>\n<section class=\"st-slide st-slR\">\n<p>\n        <span class=\"st-result-label\">Mission Complete<\/span><br \/>\n        <span class=\"st-result-title\">Your Starfleet Record<\/span>\n      <\/p>\n<div class=\"st-score-box\">\n<p>\n          <span class=\"st-score-num\"\/><span class=\"st-score-of\"> \/ 8<\/span>\n        <\/p>\n<p>        <span class=\"st-score-msg\">Are you an Admiral \u2014 or still a cadet on deck-scrubbing duty?<\/span>\n      <\/div>\n<p><label class=\"st-btn-restart\" for=\"st-s0\">\u21bb RE-ENGAGE<\/label><\/p>\n<\/section><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<p>In <em>Cocktail,<\/em> Luckinbill played Robert Mooney, the father of Jordan, Elisabeth Shue&#8217;s character. Jordan and Tom Cruise&#8217;s Brian Flanagan become lovers in the film, and her wealthy father tries to buy Brian off to prevent the bartender from running off with his pregnant daughter.<\/p>\n<p>Although <em>Cocktail <\/em>permated in pop culture, William Shatner didn&#8217;t cast <a href=\"https:\/\/screenrant.com\/laurence-luckinbill-star-trek-v-affective-memories-interview\/\" target=\"_blank\">Lawrence Luckinbill in <em>Star Trek V<\/em><\/a> because he was in a Tom Cruise moneymaker. Instead, Shatner was flipping channels and saw Luckinbill perform as President Lyndon B. Johnson, which made Lawrence Bill&#8217;s choice to play Spock&#8217;s emotionally charged brother.<\/p>\n<p><em>Star Trek <\/em>celebrates its 60th anniversary in 2026 and has been a stalwart of Paramount along with Tom Cruise for about 40 years, yet the final frontier has not directly referenced the box office&#8217;s top gun. <em><strong>Star Trek: Strange New Worlds <\/strong><\/em>has tacitly equated helmsman Erica Ortegas as <em>Star Trek<\/em>&#8216;s version of Cruise&#8217;s iconic Maverick, and now, Dr. M&#8217;Benga made &#8216;cocktails and dreams&#8217; come true.<\/p>\n<p><strong><em>Star Trek: Strange New Worlds<\/em> season 4&#8217;s new episodes premiere Thursdays on Paramount+.<\/strong><\/p>\n<div class=\"display-card type-screen large\" data-show-streamrentbuy-links=\"true\" data-include-community-rating=\"true\" id=\"c89f-44da-a2b8e65baec7\">\n<div class=\"display-card-main-content-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"display-card-main-content\">\n<div class=\"display-card-content image-column\">\n<p>                        <!--    Rating block community and brand ratings --><br \/>\n                        <!--  Image --><\/p>\n<div class=\"w-img  has-image-group\" data-stnl=\"%7B%22category%22%3A%22Click%20Interactions%22%2C%22name%22%3A%22Tag%20Display%20Card%22%2C%22action%22%3A%22Fullscreen%20Image%20Load%22%2C%22once%22%3Atrue%7D\" data-stnl-group-once=\"pQOvWnfoxK\">\n<div class=\"body-img portrait \">\n<div class=\"responsive-img  img-article-square\" data-img-url=\"https:\/\/static0.srcdn.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/sharedimages\/2026\/07\/star-trek-strange-new-worlds-poster.jpg\" data-modal-id=\"single-image-modal\" data-modal-container-id=\"single-image-modal-container\" data-img-caption=\"&quot;&quot;\">\n                                                                                                                                                            <picture><source media=\"(max-width: 480px)\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/static0.srcdn.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/sharedimages\/2026\/07\/star-trek-strange-new-worlds-poster.jpg?q=49&amp;fit=contain&amp;w=300&amp;dpr=2\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static0.srcdn.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/sharedimages\/2026\/07\/star-trek-strange-new-worlds-poster.jpg?q=49&amp;fit=contain&amp;w=300&amp;dpr=2\"\/><source media=\"(max-width: 767px)\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/static0.srcdn.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/sharedimages\/2026\/07\/star-trek-strange-new-worlds-poster.jpg?q=49&amp;fit=contain&amp;w=400&amp;dpr=2\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static0.srcdn.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/sharedimages\/2026\/07\/star-trek-strange-new-worlds-poster.jpg?q=49&amp;fit=contain&amp;w=400&amp;dpr=2\"\/><source media=\"(max-width: 1023px)\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/static0.srcdn.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/sharedimages\/2026\/07\/star-trek-strange-new-worlds-poster.jpg?q=49&amp;fit=contain&amp;w=320&amp;dpr=2\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static0.srcdn.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/sharedimages\/2026\/07\/star-trek-strange-new-worlds-poster.jpg?q=49&amp;fit=contain&amp;w=320&amp;dpr=2\"\/><img width=\"960\" height=\"1440\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" alt=\"star-trek-strange-new-worlds-poster.jpg\" data-img-url=\"https:\/\/static0.srcdn.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/sharedimages\/2026\/07\/star-trek-strange-new-worlds-poster.jpg?q=49&amp;fit=contain&amp;w=480&amp;dpr=2\" src=\"https:\/\/static0.srcdn.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/sharedimages\/2026\/07\/star-trek-strange-new-worlds-poster.jpg?q=49&amp;fit=contain&amp;w=480&amp;dpr=2\"\/>\n        <\/picture>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>                        <!-- User Rating widget --><\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"display-card-content info-column\">\n                                                                                                                            <!--  Display card tags widget --><\/p>\n<p>                                                <!--  Display card community and brand rating widget --><br \/>\n                                                                <!--  Display card main info widget --><\/p>\n<div class=\"w-display-card-info main-info\">\n<dl>\n<p><dt>\n                                            <strong>Release Date<\/strong>\n                                        <\/dt>\n<dd>\n                                            <span><\/p>\n<p>\t\t\t\t2022 &#8211; 2027-00-00<\/p>\n<p>\t\t\t<\/span>\n                                        <\/dd>\n<\/p>\n<p><dt>\n                                            <strong>Network<\/strong>\n                                        <\/dt>\n<dd>\n                                            <span><\/p>\n<p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tParamount+<\/p>\n<p>\t\t\t<\/span>\n                                        <\/dd>\n<\/p>\n<p><dt>\n                                            <strong>Showrunner<\/strong>\n                                        <\/dt>\n<dd>\n                                            <span><\/p>\n<p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tHenry Alonso Myers, Akiva Goldsman<\/p>\n<p>\t\t\t<\/span>\n                                        <\/dd>\n<\/p>\n<\/dl><\/div>\n<p>                                        <!--  Display card main info widget end --><\/p>\n<p>                    <!--  Display card media widget start --><\/p>\n<p>                                        <!--  Display card media widget end --><\/p>\n<p>                    <!-- Cast widget start --><\/p>\n<p>                                        <!-- Cast widget end --><\/p>\n<p>                    <!-- Where to watch button preview --><\/p>\n<div class=\"w-listing-generic-cta w-where-to-watch\">\n<div class=\"preview-links\">\n<ul>\n<li>\n                                                                                                            <a href=\"https:\/\/paramountplus.qflm.net\/c\/2233363\/175360\/3065?subId1=UUsrUeUpU0&amp;subId2=esr&amp;u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.paramountplus.com%2Fshows%2Fstar-trek-strange-new-worlds%2Fvideo%2FvD_dS02AvEtutf2mdwdiOU0WZIpkhMPA%2Fstar-trek-strange-new-worlds-strange-new-worlds%2F%3FsearchReferral%3Dpublisher%26source%3Dsearch-feeds&amp;ourl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.paramountplus.com%2Fshows%2Fstar-trek-strange-new-worlds%2Fvideo%2FvD_dS02AvEtutf2mdwdiOU0WZIpkhMPA%2Fstar-trek-strange-new-worlds-strange-new-worlds%3FsearchReferral%3Dpublisher%26source%3Dsearch-feeds\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer nofollow sponsored\" target=\"_blank\"><br \/>\n                                                                                                                                                                                    <img width=\"150\" height=\"150\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" alt=\"image (3)\" data-img-url=\"https:\/\/static0.srcdn.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/image-3.png?q=49&amp;fit=contain&amp;w=75&amp;h=75&amp;dpr=2\" src=\"https:\/\/static0.srcdn.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/image-3.png?q=49&amp;fit=contain&amp;w=75&amp;h=75&amp;dpr=2\"\/><\/p>\n<p>                                                        <\/a>\n                                                                                                    <\/li>\n<li>\n                                                                                                            <a href=\"https:\/\/watch.amazon.com\/detail?gti=amzn1.dv.gti.de7f74f9-a87e-4b93-b559-bb9c82e112fb\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer nofollow sponsored\" target=\"_blank\"><br \/>\n                                                                                                                                                                                    <img width=\"150\" height=\"150\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Amazon01_Logo (1)\" data-img-url=\"https:\/\/static0.srcdn.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/amazon01_logo-1.jpg?q=49&amp;fit=contain&amp;w=75&amp;h=75&amp;dpr=2\" src=\"https:\/\/static0.srcdn.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/amazon01_logo-1.jpg?q=49&amp;fit=contain&amp;w=75&amp;h=75&amp;dpr=2\"\/><\/p>\n<p>                                                        <\/a>\n                                                                                                    <\/li>\n<\/ul><\/div>\n<p>                            <!-- Where to watch button start --><\/p>\n<p>                                <!-- Where to watch button end -->\n                            <\/div>\n<p>                    <!-- Where to watch preview end --><\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>            <!-- Extra content section, display hidden by default --><br \/>\n            <input type=\"checkbox\" id=\"extra-content-c89f-44da-a2b8e65baec7\" name=\"extra-content-c89f-44da-a2b8e65baec7\" class=\"expand-extra-info-checkbox css-menu-checkbox\"\/> <!-- Checkbox: control the expandable behavior  of the extra info --><\/p>\n<p>            <!-- Display card footer --><\/p>\n<p>            <!-- PROS and CONS section --><\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<script async=\"async\" data-cfasync=\"false\" src=\"https:\/\/pl30214220.effectivecpmnetwork.com\/9ab3d4df8a7e1a6171e16ddbf732cc19\/invoke.js\"><\/script>\r\n<div id=\"container-9ab3d4df8a7e1a6171e16ddbf732cc19\"><\/div>\r\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Warning: SPOILERS for Star Trek: Strange New Worlds Season 4, Episode 3 &#8211; &#8220;Human Best Friend&#8221;Star Trek: Strange New Worlds unexpectedly and hilariously shouted out Tom Cruise and one of his classic movies from the 1980s. Directed by Yana Gorskaya and written by Kathryn Lyn, Star Trek: Strange New Worlds season 4, episode 3, &#8220;Human&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":35008,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/static0.srcdn.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/tom-cruise-flips-a-bottle-in-cocktail.jpg?w=1600&h=900&fit=crop","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[19],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-35007","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-newsweek-trending"],"brizy_media":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/35007","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=35007"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/35007\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/35008"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=35007"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=35007"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=35007"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}