Los Angeles County is experiencing a once-in-a-generation wildfire event, spurred on by a once-in-a-decade windstorm. A true catalog of the destruction is almost impossible to assemble at this date, since any figures are quickly rendered obsolete by the ongoing infernos.
What is possible is to trace the natural factors that conspired to produce such an apocalyptic result, and explain how these factors will likely continue to cause devastation across the country in the coming days.
The first ingredient in this deadly cocktail was the recent drought. Despite intense rainfall in the northern part of the state, Southern California has been bone dry, with only 0.03 inches of rain falling at LAX in the last three months of 2024. This is a negligible amount compared with the more than 3.5 inches that fall during that period in an average year. As a result, vegetation that would typically be full of water by midwinter instead remained parched. Dry fuel is much easier and quicker to ignite than wet fuel, since the fire needs to expend less energy on evaporation.
The next ingredient was a high-pressure weather system perched over southern Idaho. In the Northern Hemisphere, high-pressure systems create winds that rotate in a clockwise direction around their center.
Since Southern California was located somewhere near 6:30 on this imaginary clock face, the result was winds traveling from east to west — the opposite of their normal direction. When these winds descended from the higher altitudes of the Mojave Desert toward the Pacific coast, the air warmed due to compression — the same effect that makes a bicycle pump hot when it is used to inflate a tire — and accelerated as it traveled through narrow mountain passes. These hot, dry, east-to-west winds caused by a high-pressure system are typical of the Santa Ana winds, which can afflict Southern California more than a dozen times per year.
So what made these Santa Anas so exceptional? The final ingredient, which elevated the winds and wildfires from risky to ruinous, was a low-pressure system spinning up over the Gulf of California. Winds rotate in the opposite direction around low-pressure systems, and since Los Angeles was located smack in between the zones of high and low pressure, the result was like a baseball stuck into a pitching machine.
With the combined force of both systems, wind gusts reached 100 miles per hour in the San Gabriel Mountains. High winds increase fire danger immensely by feeding oxygen to the blaze, carrying embers, and even bending the flames forward to ignite material in the fire’s path. These hurricane-force winds, combined with the unusually dry conditions, led to the unprecedented explosion of wildfires across L.A. County as even the tiniest spark was rapidly fanned into an inferno. Moreover, the treacherous weather conditions also hampered efforts to fight the fires, as air crews were unable to operate due to strong gusts.
And the destructive effects of this low-pressure system will not be over once it leaves Southern California behind. It is predicted to become a winter storm somewhere in East Texas before continuing through a string of Southern states, depositing ice and snow in a volume unusual for the region. This wintry mix can lead to dangerous travel conditions and significant power outages.
The fact that these two dangers share a single cause is not just a curiosity — “fire and ice,” “hot and cold” — but rather an illustration that many different forms of extreme weather are controlled by one phenomenon: the jet stream.
The jet stream is a band of strong winds that travel from west to east across the globe. Normally, the jet stream resembles a real stream, slicing directly across the country with perhaps a few small meanders. But if the jet stream starts to twist and turn like a winding river, it produces powerful high- and low-pressure systems that are responsible for heat waves, snowstorms, floods and strong winds.
Worryingly, some scientists believe that climate change could produce a more “curvy” jet stream, which would lead to more instances of back-to-back disasters like the U.S. is experiencing now and like the world experienced during the summer of 2021, when heat waves and floods seemed to ricochet across the globe. So far, this effect has largely been observed in climate model projections rather than observations, but if it does emerge in the real world, it is expected that it will be most significant in the winter, when the jet stream has the most energy.
Whether this theory is correct or not, climate change has been intensifying a variety of extreme weather events, including droughts. In the case of the disaster that is now unfolding, the unusually dry conditions played a crucial role in setting the stage for extreme wildfires; a similarly powerful windstorm in Pasadena in December 2011 was preceded by a damp November, helping to prevent any significant fires.
While we can never attribute a given event to climate change with 100% certainty, it is impossible to ignore that the main source of change over the intervening decade is the ever-increasing amount of carbon dioxide entering Earth’s atmosphere.
If this trend is not rapidly reversed, we can expect that these extraordinary wildfires will become horribly more ordinary.
Ned Kleiner is a scientist and catastrophe modeler at Verisk. He has a doctorate in atmospheric science from Harvard.
Summing up the whole Consumer Electronics Show in one word, explaining the sudden over-stressing about Siri privacy, and scratching our heads over just what Brazil and Indonesia want from Apple.
It’s the annual Consumer Electronics Show (CES) week and, perhaps disappointingly, perhaps predictably, there isn’t a huge amount to say about it other than it came, it stayed around a bit, and it’s going again until next year. Still, it’s quite an event when you can summarize all of the many releases there with just one word.
Whereas, there have been very many words spoken this week about the absolute fact that we’re getting the iPhone SE 4 and next iPad any minute now — except we’re not. Wes Hilliard takes apart the rumors and shows why wishful thinking won’t get us these devices any sooner.
Curiously related to all of this is, though, is the prospect that Apple may be working on a brand new app called Invites. This time it’s William Gallagher who comes with scorn, but in truth there are strong reasons to think the app is coming — even if it’s less sure quite where or when it will appear.
Also, just how much does Indonesia think it’s going to get out of Apple to lift the iPhone 16 ban?
BONUS: Subscribe via Patreon or Apple Podcasts to hear AppleInsider+, the extended edition. This time, just how obsessed can you get with calendars and calendar apps, especially since seem to quite do all everyone needs.
MasterClass: take advantage of the new special discount offers on annual memberships at MasterClass.com
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Former UFC welterweight title challenger, Gilbert Burns, is expected to make his Octagon return against undefeated 170-pound phenom, Michael Morales, as part of the upcoming UFC 314 pay-per-view (PPV) event, scheduled for Sat., April 12, 2025 at Kaseya Center in Miami, Florida.
Burns (22-8) is mired in a dreadful three-fight losing streak and looking to rebound from his unanimous decision loss to Sean Brady atop the UFC Vegas 97 fight card last September.
As for Morales (17-0), more than a decade younger than “Durinho” at 25, he’s looking to continue his winning ways after destroying Neil Magny at UFC Vegas 96 back in August.
“I think the guy’s very good, high level,” Burns told Show Me the Money podcast. “He’s 17-0 or maybe 18-0. Crazy finishes. He’s very tough, very good, very athletic. I think it’s a tough fight for me. Tough fight for him as well, I think. But as ‘Money’ Moicano says, ‘I cannot afford to lose, bro.’ It’s been three already.”
Expect more UFC 314 fight card announcements in the coming weeks.
Donald Trump was denied a request to delay sentencing in his hush money trial. Just two months after he was elected president, the 78-year-old Republican was sentenced during a hearing, in which he appeared virtually. Trump has denied any wrongdoing and thanked the Supreme Court for its “time and effort” in “trying to remedy the great injustice done to [him]” in a Truth Social post on Thursday, January 9, 2025.
“Every legal scholar stated, unequivocally, that this is a case that should never have been brought. There was no case against me,” Trump alleged in his post. “In other words, I am innocent of all of the judge’s made up, fake charges. This was nothing other than weaponization of our justice system against a political opponent. It’s called lawfare, and nothing like this has ever happened in the United States of America, and it should never be allowed to happen again. To this day, this highly political and corrupt judge has put a gag order on me, which takes away my first amendment right to speak about very important aspects of the case. For the sake and sanctity of the presidency, I will be appealing this case, and am confident that JUSTICE WILL PREVAIL. The pathetic, dying remnants of the witch hunts against me will not distract us as we unite and, MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!”
Find out when Trump’s sentencing will take place, how to watch it and more below.
(Photo by Jabin Botsford – Pool/Getty Images)
Why Is Trump Being Sentenced?
Trump is being sentenced because he was convicted in May 2024 of falsifying business records so that his former attorney Michael Cohen could reimburse more than $100,000 in hush money to adult-film star Stormy Daniels in order to prevent her from publicly disclosing her alleged affair with Trump before the 2016 presidential election. Last year, Daniels testified in court about the alleged sexual advances he made on her, which Trump denied.
What Did the Supreme Court Decide for Trump?
The three liberal Supreme Court justices — Ketanji Brown Jackson, Sonia Sotomayor and Elena Kaga — sided against Trump’s request to delay his sentencing. Chief Justice John Roberts and Justice Amy Coney Barrett agreed, while the other conservative justices – Clarence Thomas, Samuel Alito, Neil Gorsuch and Brett Kavanaugh – noted they would have granted Trump’s request, CNN reported.
When Is Trump’s Sentencing?
The sentencing took place on Friday, January 10.
What Time Is Trump’s Sentencing?
Trump’s sentencing began at 9:30 a.m. local time on January 10.
Is Trump’s Sentencing on Live TV?
Multiple news stations broadcasted the sentencing live, including CNN, ABC News, PBS, CNN and others.
Will Trump Go to Prison?
No, Judge Merchan declined any punishment for Trump during the sentencing hearing. This outcome solidifies Trump’s conviction, but it will not hinder his return to the White House, per the Associated Press.
The value of Greggs (LSE:GRG) shares fell sharply yesterday (9 January) after the group released a trading update for the last quarter of 2024. The headline figure was impressive. Total sales increased 7.7%, compared to the same period in 2023. But for those shops managed directly by the company, on a like-for-like basis, the increase was a more modest 2.5%.
The distinction between franchised stores — which account for around 20% of the group’s footprint — and other premises is an important one. That’s because — perhaps surprisingly — the baker earns a lower margin from the shops that it manages itself.
In 2023, Greggs reported a trading profit margin of 20.7% on franchised shops (including other wholesale activities). Its own shops – which contributed 89% of revenue that year — recorded a margin of 15.5%.
I suspect this was the principal reason why the baker’s shares performed so poorly. The company observed “subdued High Street footfall” during the quarter, which affects its own stores the most.
One person’s trash could be another’s treasure
It’s been a miserable week for shareholders. During the five trading days ended 10 January, the shares fell 23%.
But this could be a good opportunity for me. As Warren Buffett advises: “Be fearful when others are greedy. Be greedy when others are fearful.”
Indeed, this echoes the advice given by RBC Capital, in December. The investment bank was telling its clients to “buy the dip”. At the time, the shares were changing hands for £28.34p. Today, they’re 24% lower. And it set a price target of £32.40 — a 50% improvement on today’s value.
This optimism is based on a belief that the group is well positioned to cope with the post-Budget higher labour costs that the company faces.
Income prospects
One positive from the recent fall in its share price is that the stock’s yield has been pushed higher.
Having said that, it’s difficult to precisely calculate the current yield. Over the past five years, the company’s paid three special dividends. Based on the amounts paid in 2024 (105p), the yield is 4.9%. However, using payouts made in 2023 (60p), it’s 2.8%.
Remember, though, that dividends are never guaranteed.
Not so fast
Although Greggs continues to grow, the pace is slowing.
It’s true that revenue has increased rapidly since the pandemic — the average annual increase, from 2021 to 2024, was 26%. But it slowed to 11.3%, in 2024.
I think this is inevitable given that the company doesn’t have any overseas stores. There’s a limit to the number of pies and sausage rolls that UK consumers can eat.
But it means the group’s vulnerable to a slowdown in the domestic economy. With its reputation for low prices, Greggs is ideally placed to take advantage when incomes are squeezed. Consumers are more likely to ‘trade down’ when cash is tight.
However, it’s not immune from a wider economic slowdown. Although the UK economy is expected to grow in 2025, recent data has cast some doubt on the accuracy of the most optimistic of forecasts.
Therefore, after reviewing the investment case, I don’t want to invest in Greggs. Its revenue and earnings growth are slowing. And it’s over-reliant on the UK economy. Personally, I believe this week’s dramatic pullback in the share price is an indication that other investors share my concerns.
I’ve regularly seen National Grid (LSE: NG) shares called a no-brainer buy. Perhaps even the FTSE100‘s ultimate no-brainer buy. In fact, I have a vague memory of using that description myself.
I’ll tread carefully in future. It seems to be tempting fate. Also, stock picking always involves a bit of brain power, even when purchasing a company that’s apparently as solid as this.
There’s much to like about power monopoly National Grid. It’s stringently regulated by Ofgem, with more than 80% of its total revenues tied to regulatory agreements. That gives clear earnings visibility.
Should I be worried by this FTSE 100 stock?
Many investors use National Grid as a portfolio building block. They assume its shares won’t be particularly volatile, while the dividends should keep rolling in. I guess that’s where the no-brainer bit comes in.
So far, they’ve been right about the income. The board’s steadily increased shareholder payouts over time, as this chart shows.
Chart by TradingView
Unlike many FTSE 100 dividend stalwarts, National Grid maintained dividends throughout the pandemic. Today, it boasts a bumper trailing yield of 6.1%. That’s way above the FTSE 100 average of around 3.5%.
However, the yield’s forecast to drop to 4.9% in 2025. At least it will be well covered, roughly 1.6 times by earnings. But what’s going on?
For a supposed no-brainer buy, National Grid has a few worries on its mind. It has to meet high operational and maintenance expenses while investing huge sums in network improvements and renewable energy projects.
The UK’s creaking energy infrastructure requires massive investment. Upgrades cost National Grid billions and the bill can only rise with the green transition. This squeezes the funds available for expansion or innovation.
I’ll activate my stock-picking brain next time
In May, the shares plunged more than 6% after the board announced a major rights issue to raise around £7bn to fund future investments. It also announced it would cut the dividend from 53.1p to 45.3p per share, from this year. Hence that falling forward yield.
While the National Grid share price quickly recovered, it’s still down 5.3% over the last 12 months. Over five years it’s up a modest 8.5%. Combined with five years of reinvested dividends, that pushes the total return towards a respectable 35%.
I can’t stop myself casting nervous glances at its huge £42bn debt pile. Especially since it’s forecast to hit £46bn next year.
Yet analysts remain upbeat. The 15 who offer one-year share price forecasts have produced a median target of just over 1,137p from today’s 930p. If correct, that’s an increase of around 22% from today. Combined with that yield, this would deliver a total return of 27% if true. We’ll see.
Eleven brokers consider National Grid a Strong Buy, one a Buy and six say Hold. None recommend selling.
But I won’t buy it. Yes, the income’s nice but I can find plenty of stocks on the FTSE 100 that yield 5% or more, and with better capital growth prospects too. Although I wouldn’t call them no-brainer stocks. As National Grid shows, there are always risks.
Over the past few days, there’s been a lot of chatter about movements in the UK bond market. These Government bonds are known as gilts, with the yields being reflective of where investors believe future interest rates could be. Long-term yields have jumped, with the Government bond maturing in 30 years hitting the highest level since 1998. Here’s the impact it could have on UK shares.
Worries galore
It’s key to note what the movement in gilts is signifying. Investors are concerned that the UK economy is in a period of stagflation. This means rising inflation without economic growth. Q3 GDP growth was flat. Yet the latest inflation reading at 2.6% was the highest since March 2024.
Due to this, some expect that interest rates will have to remain high to counter inflation. We also need to add in the mix of concerns around fiscal stability. The Government borrows money via gilts in order to fund some spending. Yet with yields rising so much, the cost to finance new bonds is significantly higher. This calls into question how the UK is going to afford this higher interest bill when the authorities are trying to balance the public finances.
If an investor owns UK Government bonds and is now worried, they might sell them. As a result, this pushes the price down and the yield up. It makes the problem even worse!
Being selective
So far, the stock market hasn’t fallen due to the concerns about the economic outlook and fiscal stability. But that doesn’t mean that the fear might not cause a drop in the coming weeks or months.
What to do? One share that investors could consider buying as it might not get caught up in this is Games Workshop (LSE:GAW). The stock isn’t cheap and is up 35% over the past year.
It could tick the box because it has no debt. This means that if interest rates stay higher for longer, it’s not going to be impacted as it doesn’t need to borrow money.
Further, it has no ties or contracts with the Government. So if spending with private contractors in some sectors is cut, it doesn’t matter to Games Workshop.
Finally, the products and games it makes aren’t tied to rate-sensitive customers in as, says, the property or the automotive sectors are. Their customers have rate-sensitive customers with mortgages and car loans. And while Games workshop clients may also include such consumers, there’s less of a direct effect and the company should see fairly stable demand. Of course, one risk is that if inflation was to get back out of control, it could increase the costs of production.
No reason to panic
For now, I think it’s too early to tell if the events in the bond market are going to spill over to stocks. Yet even if stocks do start to fall, I think the worry around the economic outlook will primarily impact companies that either have strong ties to the Government or that have high debt levels. I’m not saying to completely write off such stocks, but it’s just worth considering these points before investing.
Llanfairfechan sits nestled between the coastline and the mountains (Image: North Wales Live)
Llanfairfechan, a North Wales seaside resort, is often overlooked despite its rich history and stunning landscapes.
Nestled between three major tourism hubs, this town has been described as having “its feet in the sea and head in the hills”.
It’s located on the coast along the A55, south of Eryri national park with its towering mountains and quaint villages.
To the west lies Conwy town and its castle, and the Victorian promenade of Llandudno, while further west is Anglesey with its numerous beaches.
Despite being overshadowed by these better-known neighbours, Llanfairfechan offers a unique blend of sea air, history, nature and attractive landscapes, making it an ideal spot to explore, even during the winter months.
The town underwent a significant transformation in the 1800s when large tracts of land were sold to wealthy admirers of the area, sparking development.
Richard Luck North, a retired solicitor from Leicester, bought land known as Plas, while Oldham MP John Platt, reputedly the world’s wealthiest textile merchant at the time, purchased the Bryn Y Neuadd Estate.
The two wealthy individuals played a pivotal role in the development of the town, erecting new buildings, schools and housing estates.
They also ensured that piped water supply was available to homes in Llanfairfechan, reports North Wales Live.
The town is famous for it’s colourful Victorian houses (Image: Getty Images)
In 1845, work began on a railway line from Chester to Holyhead, which opened up new trade routes and boosted tourism to the seaside town.
Today, this quaint town of approximately 4,000 residents still boasts a boating lake and bowling green among its main attractions.
A row of colourful Victorian houses lines its seafront, with the Dyffryn Conwy mountains providing a breathtaking backdrop.
The town’s beach – Traeth Llanfairfechan – is another highlight.
With a mix of sand and pebbles, it’s perfect for a leisurely walk, building sandcastles or simply sitting back to enjoy the view.
For those looking for a more active afternoon, a cycle track runs along the beach.
Llanfairfechan is less than three miles from the stunning Aber Falls (Image: Getty Images)
Nearby, there’s a nature reserve named Traeth Lafan, where the tides reveal and hide a vast area of sand and mud covering about 25 sq km.
It’s a dynamic landscape of saltmarsh and intertidal sand that teems with birdlife.
During the winter months, the UK’s largest population of moulting great crested grebes call this area home, along with large flocks of oystercatchers, red-breasted mergansers and golden eye.
The reserve extends 9.5km west along the coastline from Llanfairfechan.
Behind this quaint Victorian resort town, Carnedd Llewelyn, the highest peak in the Carneddau mountain range, is visible.
This area is home to a unique group of around 300 semi-wild Carneddau ponies, believed to have roots dating back to the Bronze Age.
Despite not being classified as a rare breed, they are genetically distinct from the Welsh Mountain pony, possessing genes related to resilience and waterproofing.
Just a short 2.8-mile journey from Llanfairfechan will take you to Abergwyngregyn and its famous waterfalls which attract thousands of visitors each year.
The larger of the two, Aber Falls, is one of Wales’ most spectacular waterfalls. Nestled at the northern foothills of the Carneddau, the waterfall marks Afon Goch’s final descent to the Menai Straits.
The river dramatically plunges from a height of 120ft into a shallow rocky pool before continuing its journey towards the village of Abergwyngregyn.
If you find yourself in Llanfairfechan with an appetite, Seagrass is the place to go.
This charming seafront restaurant is a favourite among locals and tourists alike, renowned for its delicious cuisine and breathtaking views.
It’s the ideal location to conclude your visit to Llanfairfechan, showcasing the very best that this resort has to offer.
Llanfairfechan’s seafront car park presently underwent a major revamp, with enhanced surfacing and drainage systems being put in place. The upgrade also includes the installation of electric vehicle charging points.
The cop goes gangster in Den of Thieves 2: Pantera. And if anybody can pull that off with grit and believability in equal measure, it’s Gerard Butler. The Plane and How to Train Your Dragon star reprises his role as Detective ‘Big Nick’ O’Brien from 2018’s Den of Thievesand brings along O’Shea Jackson Jr. again as the clever heist man, Donnie.
If the first film was an intricately produced cat-and-mouse heist in which a steely detective (Butler) desperately tries to catch a viable foe (Jackson), the second film is director/writer Christian Gudegast‘s attempt to shake the creative snow globe. He brings Big Nick to the inside of an elaborate European diamond heist and forces him to work with an unlikely partner: Donnie, the man he’s been after all along. That’s a groovy flip, sure, making Den of Thieves 2 2025’s first subversive buddy movie. But, like many buddy films, things here are hit-and-miss.
It’s Good to See These Guys Again
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3 /5
Den of Thieves 2: Pantera
Sheriff “Big Nick” O’Brien tracks Donnie Wilson to Europe after his daring escape. As Donnie becomes deeply involved with diamond thieves and the Panther mafia, the stakes rise with a plan to rob the world’s largest diamond exchange. The film promises intense action and suspense across international borders.
Release Date
January 10, 2025
Director
Christian Gudegast
Runtime
0 Minutes
Cast
Gerard Butler
, O’Shea Jackson Jr.
, Meadow Williams
, Jordan Bridges
, Evin Ahmad
, Swen Temmel
, Bob Jennings
, Michael Bisping
, Salvatore Esposito
, Orli Shuka
, Cristian Solimeno
, Nazmiye Oral
, Yasen Zates Atour
, Dino Kelly
, Rico Verhoeven
, Velibor Topic
, Antonio Bustorff
, Yuri D. Brown
, Birol Tarkan Yıldız
, John West Jr
, Ciryl Gane
, Mark Grosy
, Ignacio Herráez
, Stéphane Coulon
Writers
Christian Gudegast
Studio(s)
Atmosphere Entertainment MM
, Diamond Film Productions
, G-BASE
, Entertainment One
, Tucker Tooley Entertainment
Pros
Gerard Butler is great and has wonderful chemistry with a fun O’Shea Jackson Jr.
The new setting and addition of some excellent chase sequences make this a fresh sequel.
The new buddy-cop dynamic suits this franchise.
Cons
The film is too long, and the repetition of some action sequences get tiring.
The heist itself is a bit too convoluted and overdone.
Having Butler and Jackson reprise their roles is the good news. More sketchy is the filmmaker’s fierce insistence on this being a classic heist film, no matter what. This movie aches to be something akin to 1969’s The Italian Job by way of 2001’s Heist with1981’s Thief and 1995’s Heat tossed in for good measure. The vibe feels a bit too forced if not, once again, bloated, clocking in at nearly two and a half hours.
Gerard Butler & O’Shea Jackson Jr. discuss their action movie franchise and what they learned from one other on the sequel, ‘Den of Thieves: Pantera.’
Once the initial set-up is established — Big Nick and Donnie teaming up — Gudegast’s script manages to successfully capture the new dynamic as the fellas attempt to outsmart a new slew of dangerous criminals without getting killed in the process. The film soars high when it mixes great action sequences and suspense, but feels weighed down by the filmmakers’ attempts at being cleverly complicated and paving the way for another sequel. It’s an overly zealous approach to crafting a more intricate heist film, and sets us up for Den of Thieves 3.
Big Nick is humiliated over being duped by Donnie during that Los Angeles Federal Reserve Bank heist from Den of Thieves when this film opens. His life suddenly out of control, Nick’s been benched from the force and divorce papers have been filed. Obsessed about how Donnie outsmarted him, we soon learn more about Donnie’s disappearance into the European criminal underground. A new big plan is about to roll and Big Nick, seeing red, wants nothing but revenge. Fate has other plans for the man.
Gerard Butler Helps You Stay Patient
It takes a while before we’re deep into Team Nick & Donnie. You see, Donnie is planning a more elaborate heist in Europe, and it’s based on the 2003 Antwerp diamond heist. This ups the stakes considerably in the storytelling and execution. Who doesn’t appreciate a diamond heist caper? Here, we’re taken to the inside of a European criminal underworld, where a massive robbery is about to go down.
With news that Gerard Butler will be teaming with John Wick creator Derek Kolstad for Just Watch Me, here’s a look at the actor’s best movies, ranked.
Fortunately, the way Big Nick and Donnie have to join forces feels believable and well-written. That could have gone horribly wrong. Instead, it allows for a swift transition into these two foes becoming unlikely allies. The plan is to break into one of the impenetrable World Diamond Centers in Antwerp, Belgium. Big Nick and Donnie’s cohorts are involved and go along for the thrills across the Mediterranean, creating a new kind of thieves’ den.
Overall, this works, and if you have patience for the film to find its footing — a lot of patience — there’s some fun to be had here. It’s Gerard Butler, so, it’s hard to go wrong and, at this point in the man’s long career, it’s refreshing to see a seasoned actor still fully committed to the characters he takes on. Butler loses himself here, disappearing into this iteration of Big Nick. That alone is worth the cost of the movie.
Thrilling Action Sequences and Drag-Out Fights
Filmmaker Christian Gudegast’s devotion to heist films is evident throughout Den of Thieves. The man has got this down, yet tends to still let this sequel drag at several junctures. This back and forth between extended set-ups and then vigorous action creates an unstable feel to the overall pacing of the film, and at times, you’d swear you’ve seen something like this last week on an elaborately produced streaming series you’ve binged. There’s a tendency to either zone out or pinch yourself to pay attention and absorb all the details, of which there are many.
But again, the entire cast, the scenic locale, and Gudegast’s sharply executed action sequences feel downright wondrous. One throughline in the film is that Nick is impressed by Donnie’s mind, but at the same time, he wants another chance at getting him. And good. Fans of elaborate heist films will appreciate the depth and detail this film offers and its layered storytelling. For instance, early on, a flight carrying diamonds from Johannesburg is hijacked in Brussels, and thieves dressed in Police Federale SWAT gear dash off with jewels worth tens of millions. A single huge pink diamond becomes a sweet allure. Enter the French police chief (Yasen Zates Atour), who blames the Panthers, an elite posse of thieves from the Balkans.
Hostage scenarios, getaway attempts, and many more recurring elements are often at play in this subgenre.
Donnie is the one who partners with the Panthers initially, posing as a legitimate gems dealer, so we see plenty of inside dealings and the rough fellas who will ultimately spar with Butler’s Big Nick later on—and in ways that may leave you breathless. Watch how brilliant the likes of Salvatore Esposito (as Slavko), Orli Shuka (as Dragan), Cristian Solimeno (Florentin), Dino Kelly (as Marko), and Rico Verhoeven (as Vigo) ignite their scenes.
The Den Is Getting a Bit Crowded
Lionsgate
As if the film wasn’t stuffed enough, toss into the mix a Mafia don, Matteo “The Octopus” Venzolasca (Adriano Chiaramida), who’s seething about the theft — that’s his pink diamond. He orders his thugs to get it back, no matter the cost. These kinds of characters set up an elaborate balancing act of plot threads and details and fight scenes and car chases to track. There’s plush Mediterranean scenery to boot. Hello, thrilling and winding car chase so high above the countryside. We love you. (Gudegast used the all-electric Porsche Taycan for these brilliant scenes.)
Themes that explore the fine line between cop and criminal come into play, but that creative card isn’t overplayed (much). Ultimately, like the first outing, Den of Thieves: Pantera hopes to illuminate that the cops and criminals are equally complex and fallible. This gives the film, like its predecessor, a kind of relatable, razor-sharp focus on character. The movie’s buddy-film component works in its favor, too, as we uncover a few new layers to both Big Nick and Donnie, and wonder if and when they can either work together again or, perhaps better yet, try to outwit the other for another riveting ride. Stay tuned. Looks like this “den” is about to expand. Den of Thieves: Pantera opens in theaters January 10 from Lionsgate. Find theaters and showtimes here.
Warning! This article contains spoilers for Silo season 2’s episode 9.
Silo season 2’s episode 9 ends on an ambiguous note, leaving viewers curious about Lukas’ new discovery and Silo 18’s future. In its opening moments, Silo season 2’s episode 9 takes an interesting approach where it replays Juliette’s opening arc in Silo 17 through the perspective of the kids introduced in episode 8. It shows how the kids kept a close eye on Juliette and tracked all her moves before setting out to capture and harm Solo.
While Juliette attempts to convince the kids to let her talk to Solo in the Silo season 2 episode, Lukas sets out on his own journey to seek the truth after finally understanding Salvador Quinn’s letter. Juliette eventually finds hope, suggesting she will likely head to Silo 18 in Silo season 2’s finale. Lukas, however, finds himself in a web of complex mysteries that will seemingly determine Silo 18’s future in the final episode of season 2.
What The Algorithm Means By “The Safeguard” In Silo Season 2 Episode 9’s Ending
The Safeguard Threatens Silo 18’s Stability
Lukas Kyle’s story in Silo season 2 has primarily revolved around his efforts to decode Salvador Quinn’s letter at Bernard’s command. Towards Silo season 2 episode 8’s ending, he finally finds a way to achieve his goal. With what follows, in episode 9, he sits down and writes the following as Salvador Quinn’s final message:
If you’ve gotten this far you already know the game is rigged.
We think we’re the chosen ones, but we’re only one of many.
The founders didn’t build a single silo.
They built fifty.
And they created the safeguard.
As he deciphers more lines from the letter, he discovers that the last three sentences say, “If you don’t believe me go to the very bottom of the silo. Find the tunnel! You will get confirmation there.” After failing to find Bernard, Lukas takes it upon himself to find the truth about Quinn’s message. He heads down to the bottom level of Silo 18 with Shirley’s help and, as suspected, finds a tunnel. As soon as he approaches the tunnel’s entrance, an AI, referred to as “The Algorithm” in the subtitles, informs him that before him only three people have reached the tunnel’s door:
Salvador Quinn
Mary Meadows
George Wilkins
The Algorithm claims it did not speak to Wilkins, suggesting it only reveals information to authoritative figures from the silo. Before disclosing crucial information to Lukas, it also warns him that if he speaks to anyone about what he learns, the AI will have to initiate “The Safeguard.” Given how the AI refers to the Safeguard as a threat and even Quinn’s letter claims the founders created it, it seems likely that it is a protocol to terminate a silo. If a silo learns the truth about how the “game is rigged,” the Algorithm is seemingly responsible for eliminating it.
…If a silo potentially threatens to expose the truth about the founder’s mission, a so-called “safeguard” or safety measure will wipe the silo out.
The letter also talks about how the people from all silos think they are the chosen ones, believing they were the ones selected to survive the apocalypse. However, as the letter highlights, the founders of the silos created 50 similar structures and cared little about the well-being of one specific silo. Even if one silo fails, humanity’s sustenance can depend on the survival of others. Owing to this, if a silo potentially threatens to expose the truth about the founder’s mission, a so-called “safeguard” or safety measure will wipe the silo out.
What Lies Beyond Silo 18’s Tunnel?
The Tunnel Likely Connects Silo 18 To Other Silos
Juliette learned about the door at the bottom of Silo 18 through George Wilkins’ final video in which he also mentioned that the water at the lowest level is nothing to worry about. Given how Lukas discovers the water is barely 2 feet high in Silo season 2’s episode 9, it makes sense that Wilkins affirmed the water was not a threat. Towards Silo season 1’s ending, Juliette also mentioned the tunnels to Bernard, which surprised him. His reaction suggested that he knew nothing about them, which again makes sense since the AI confirms that only four people have seen the tunnel’s entrance.
Bernard and Lukas discover tunnels heading out of the bottom of their Silo, which raises many questions surrounding where they go in the outside world
While looking through Silo 18’s layout, Lukas and Bernard also noticed that many tunnel-like structures connect their silo to something in the external world. The show has not yet revealed where the tunnels go, but it seems likely they connect to other silos. The founders seemingly created an interconnected network between the silos, which makes it hard not to wonder why they would prevent people from one silo from learning about the others. It is also possible that the tunnels hold the key to finding a way to the outside world without facing the harsh conditions that kill humans.
Where Bernard Goes When His Silo 18 Key Glows
The Key Hints At The Involvement Of More Powerful Forces
In Silo season 2 episode 9’s final arc, Sims tells his wife about Bernard’s key, which has the number 18 imprinted on it. He claims that the key buzzes and glows every time things go sideways in the silo, prompting Bernard to rush to a door in the server room. While Sims struggles to find out where Bernard disappears, it seems likely he visits the Algorithm to understand the gravity of the situation and find a viable situation.
Silo Key Facts Breakdown
Created By
Graham Yost
Rotten Tomatoes Critics’ Score
92%
Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score
64%
Based On
Hugh Howey Silo series that includes three books: Wool, Shift, & Dust
Since the Algorithm is a means for the founders to ensure that all silos follow the strict rules set by them, the AI seemingly sends Bernard a warning message through his key that his silo is drifting closer to danger. The AI also probably gives him the next course of action he must implement to ensure things remain under control in Silo 18.
Does Knox Know Walker Is The Traitor?
Knox Seems Aware That Walker Is Working With Bernard
Knox claims he has figured out who the traitor is in Silo season 2’s episode 9. However, after he arrives at Walker’s workshop, he says that, according to him, Teddy’s mother is Bernard’s informant. He says she betrayed the Mechanical because she was afraid Teddy would be killed if she did not comply with Silo 18’s higher authorities. He also reveals their next plan to Walker, disclosing that they plan to use the gunpowder they got from the Supply. Bernard watches this conversation from a distance and believes he knows what the Mechanical plans to do next.
…Knox seems to misguide Bernard by making up a fake plan in Silo season 2’s episode 9.
However, Knox seems to be one step ahead of Bernard. It looks like Knox refers to Walker when he talks about Teddy’s mother, implying that she only complied with Bernard because she was afraid he would kill Carla. He also realizes that Bernard could be watching Walker, so it would not be wise to confront her directly. Therefore, Knox seems to misguide Bernard by making up a fake plan in Silo season 2’s episode 9.
Solo’s Real Identity & Backstory Explained
Juliette Finally Connects The Dots In Silo Season 2’s Episode 9
Two of the three children, Audrey and Rick, strike a deal with Juliette: if she wants to talk to Solo, she must find the code to Solo’s vault before their baby starts crying. The third child, labeled as “Eater,” joins Juliette, hoping that she will get to leave Silo 17. While looking for clues surrounding the code, Juliette learns from the Eater that Silo 17’s rebellion happened decades ago. With this, she realizes that Solo’s real name is Jimmy, and he was barely a teenager when he was asked to protect the vault.
The Apple TV+ sci-fi show has not yet revealed how many years Solo spent in Silo 17’s vault, but the original books confirm he spent 33 years in the vault before meeting Juliette.
When she later gets to meet Solo and asks him to tell her the truth about his memory of the rebellion, Solo recalls that his father, Russell, made him swear the oath and appointed him as his Shadow because he wanted him to protect the silo’s secrets at all costs. Solo kept his promise of protecting it even when the silo’s sheriff killed his father before his eyes. Little did Solo understand that his father made him stay in the vault to protect him from the rebellion. Juliette helps Solo realize that he was too young to understand his father’s true motives and must finally let go of his responsibilities.
The Silo 17 Kids’ Identities Explained
The Kids Were Raised In Silo 17
Custom Image by Dhruv Sharma.
Eater tells Juliette that Audrey’s father, Chase, and Rick’s mother, Tess, got together after others in Silo 17 died. When Eater’s mother got sick, she took her to Chase and Tess, hoping that they would look after her. After running low on food, Chase and Benny tried to get into Solo’s vault and shot at him. Solo panicked and shut them in the vault’s food storage before vacuuming the room. Before Solo could even understand what he had done, they died due to lack of oxygen.
Silo season 2’s story is based on the second half of Hugh Howey’s first Silo book, Wool.
When Solo reveals the story of his trauma and even shows the scar of the bullet that was fired at him, Audrey finally empathizes with him instead of wanting to kill him for murdering her father and Rick’s mother. Solo, too, gives in and shows empathy towards the survivors by allowing them to access the vault after Juliette tells him that they have a baby to feed. Solo’s previous experience with other survivors explains why he threatens to kill Juliette when she tries to enter his vault in Silo season 2’s episode 1.
Why The Founders Built 51 Silos
They Might Have Built One Silo For Themselves
When Lukas decodes a few lines from Quinn’s message and learns about the other silos, he tells Bernard about it. Bernard corrects him and reveals that there are a total of 51 silos, not 50. Although Bernard claims he does not know why an additional silo exists, it seems likely it is the control station for overseeing the operations of other silos. Bernard previously confirmed that the silos were built 352 years ago by the founders. Owing to this, it is impossible for the founders to be alive in the show’s present timeline and oversee the events of all the silos from the additional one.
However, it is possible that after their demise, their descendants took their responsibilities. Or, Silo might be taking the Fallout approach by revealing that cryo-freezing technology allows people to extend their lifespans, helping the founders stay alive centuries after the silos’ creation. Regardless of what happens next, Silo season 2’s episode 9 paves the way for an exciting finale.
In a dystopian future, men and women reside in a vast underground silo governed by strict regulations, believed to shield them from the hazardous world above. The series delves into the complex social order within the silo and the mysteries surrounding their subterranean existence.
Release Date
May 5, 2023
Cast
Rebecca Ferguson
, Common
, Tim Robbins
, Harriet Walter
, Christian Ochoa Lavernia
, Avi Nash
, Billy Postlethwaite
, Chinaza Uche
, Iain Glen
, Remmie Milner
, David Oyelowo
, Rick Gomez
, Ferdinand Kingsley
, Shane McRae
, Chipo Chung
, Caitlin Zoz
, Matt Gomez Hidaka
, Angela Yeoh
, Olatunji Ayofe
, Khairika Sinani
, Will Patton
, Akie Kotabe
Character(s)
Juliette Nichols
, Robert Sims
, Bernard Holland
, Martha Walker
, Amundsen
, Lukas Kyle
, Hank
, Paul Billings
, Dr. Pete Nichols
, Shirley
, Sheriff Holston
, Patrick Kennedy
, George Wilkins
, Knox
, Sandy
, Kathleen Billings
, Cooper
, Deputy Molly Karins
, Teddy
, Raider Jean
, Deputy Marnes
, Diego
