Skip to main content

The context you need, when you need it

When news breaks, you need to understand what actually matters — and what to do about it. At Vox, our mission to help you make sense of the world has never been more vital. But we can’t do it on our own.

We rely on readers like you to fund our journalism. Will you support our work and become a Vox Member today?

Join now
Emily St. James

Emily St. James

Former Critic at Large

    Latest articles by Emily St. James

    Culture
    Superstore’s finale changes everything. Showrunner Justin Spitzer explains.Superstore’s finale changes everything. Showrunner Justin Spitzer explains.
    Culture

    “We didn’t have a lot more Mother’s Day stories to tell. This will be good. This is a new place to find a story.”

    By Emily St. James
    Culture
    The Big Bang Theory’s long reign, explainedThe Big Bang Theory’s long reign, explained
    Culture

    TV fans loved — and loved to hate — the incredibly huge CBS sitcom.

    By Emily St. James
    Games of Thrones season 8
    4 winners and 10 losers from Game of Thrones’ next-to-last episode, “The Bells”4 winners and 10 losers from Game of Thrones’ next-to-last episode, “The Bells”
    Games of Thrones season 8

    There are few winners and many losers in a grim installment that is satisfying until you think about it for a bit.

    By Emily St. James
    Culture
    Fosse/Verdon’s latest episode is key to unlocking this fascinating, flawed miniseriesFosse/Verdon’s latest episode is key to unlocking this fascinating, flawed miniseries
    Culture

    The FX bio-show traps Broadway legends in a beach house to ask why anybody would be drawn to Bob Fosse.

    By Emily St. James
    Games of Thrones season 8
    Game of Thrones still can’t figure out what it wants to say about traumaGame of Thrones still can’t figure out what it wants to say about trauma
    Games of Thrones season 8

    As the finale approaches, a scene between Sansa and the Hound frustrated some fans.

    By Emily St. James
    Culture
    Detective Pikachu is Who Framed Roger Rabbit in Pokémon footie pajamasDetective Pikachu is Who Framed Roger Rabbit in Pokémon footie pajamas
    Culture

    You don’t need to understand Pokémon to understand this movie. You do need to understand Blade Runner.

    By Emily St. James
    Games of Thrones season 8
    4 winners and 6 losers from Game of Thrones’ disappointing “The Last of the Starks”4 winners and 6 losers from Game of Thrones’ disappointing “The Last of the Starks”
    Games of Thrones season 8

    If the show wasn’t giving Jon Snow the winner’s edit before, it sure seems to be doing so now.

    By Emily St. James
    Culture
    HBO’s Barry traces a hit gone wrong in an episode unlike anything else on TVHBO’s Barry traces a hit gone wrong in an episode unlike anything else on TV
    Culture

    The sitcom about a hitman turned actor should have ended in season 1. Except season 2 is even better.

    By Emily St. James
    Culture
    The 5 best TV debuts of April 2019The 5 best TV debuts of April 2019
    Culture

    I Think You Should Leave, Ramy, and three other TV shows we loved — plus 12 more worth watching.

    By Allegra Frank and Emily St. James
    Games of Thrones season 8
    Game of Thrones’ Battle of Winterfell was less deadly than expected. Good.Game of Thrones’ Battle of Winterfell was less deadly than expected. Good.
    Games of Thrones season 8

    The show’s lack of bloodlust in “The Long Night” was its most subversive plot turn yet.

    By Emily St. James