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
    How The Americans built one of the best final seasons ever madeHow The Americans built one of the best final seasons ever made
    Culture

    By sticking to its guns — and asking whether saving a marriage can save the world — the show goes out brilliantly.

    By Emily St. James
    Culture
    The Americans seeks a new “START” in a tremendous series finaleThe Americans seeks a new “START” in a tremendous series finale
    Culture

    What will become of Philip and Elizabeth Jennings? Or Stan? Or Paige? Or Mail Robot? Only one way to find out...

    By Genevieve Koski, Emily St. James and 2 more
    Culture
    The Handmaid’s Tale reaches a tipping point in the powerful “After”The Handmaid’s Tale reaches a tipping point in the powerful “After”
    Culture

    The final image of this episode is as haunting as any the show has come up with — for entirely unexpected reasons.

    By Constance Grady and Emily St. James
    Culture
    Why ABC had to cancel RoseanneWhy ABC had to cancel Roseanne
    Culture

    It’s not (just) because it was the right thing to do.

    By Emily St. James
    Culture
    Roseanne was canceled. It isn’t the only sitcom tackling politics and the working class.Roseanne was canceled. It isn’t the only sitcom tackling politics and the working class.
    Culture

    From Mom to Superstore, the comedies already making sitcoms great again.

    By Caroline Framke and Emily St. James
    Culture
    Harvey Weinstein’s arrest matters — but it’s only a startHarvey Weinstein’s arrest matters — but it’s only a start
    Culture

    Hollywood has a lot of work ahead to ensure Weinstein’s arrest isn’t just symbolic.

    By Alissa Wilkinson and Emily St. James
    Culture
    Arrested Development season 5 tries to go back to the way things were, with mixed resultsArrested Development season 5 tries to go back to the way things were, with mixed results
    Culture

    This new batch of episodes — the first half of the season — is like a magician explaining his tricks to you.

    By Emily St. James
    Culture
    4 great new movie podcasts to listen to right now4 great new movie podcasts to listen to right now
    Podcast
    Culture

    All have debuted in the past year, and all take a look at film from new and compelling angles.

    By Emily St. James
    Culture
    Westworld turns things up a notch in “Phase Space”Westworld turns things up a notch in “Phase Space”
    Culture

    This is the good, bad, and weird of the episode season two desperately needed.

    By Emily St. James
    Culture
    The Middle wraps its run as TV’s most perpetually underrated comedyThe Middle wraps its run as TV’s most perpetually underrated comedy
    Culture

    This beautifully funny comedy about the white working class deserved the attention given to Modern Family or Roseanne.

    By Emily St. James