UTAH TECH UNIVERSITY'S STUDENT NEWS SOURCE | May 17, 2025

Month: February 2025

Southern Utah public land, national monument potentially at risk for mining, drilling

by Carly MaxfieldPosted on

Local public land and national monument protections are under scrutiny from the Trump administration for potential mining and drilling sites.

Two southern Utah monuments are being looked at for potential sites, including Bears Ears and Grand Staircase-Escalante. 

An executive order signed into effect by President Donald Trump Jan. 20 sought to roll back protections placed on public lands and national monuments against drilling and mining. The order, titled “Unleashing American Energy,” would advance the use of fossil fuel energy in America and decrease dependency on the import of fuels from other countries.

The reasoning, as stated in the executive order, is to expand American harvesting of natural resources on previously untouched land. The order stated a desire to create more jobs for the American people in these industries to help fight economic collapse.

However, Rachel Jensen, a senior environmental science major from South Jordan, said mining on these lands could mean habitat loss for wildlife and biodiversity loss.

“There would be a lot of wildlife displacement because these national monuments and public lands are critical habitats, especially for endangered species,” Jensen said.

Another potential limitation for mining on these lands is the amount of freshwater usage that it requires, and not only that but the pollution of water that occurs in toxic runoff from mining. 

Water pollution from mining has historically affected Native populations on reservations. From 1891 up until the 1970s, Native lands were leased out and used as grounds for mining. These historical mining sites are now abandoned, but their negative impact on Native land and its water is still seen today. 

Bears Ears, although not on a reservation, carries historical and spiritual significance for Native peoples. Greg Melton, assistant professor of geology, said mining on the land could have a big impact on land and people.

“One of the biggest concerns with Bears Ears is the effect it will have on Native peoples and the history and culture in that area,” Melton said. “The significance of that area to the Native people is being severely overlooked.”

Melton said he encourages people to take a look at the issue from both sides, the economic perspective and the environmental preservation perspective. He said it’s a complex issue where a balance between the economy and the environment should be created.

According to a 2024 Conservation in the West Poll, 76% of Utahns are in support of protecting national monuments over mining and drilling.

The want to mine and drill on previously protected lands is said to have the potential to create more jobs for the American worker, increase the harvest of natural resources on American soil and a generalized pro-industry attitude.

There are a number of potential environmental risks should the drilling and mining take place at these monuments. As of now though, there are no official orders to begin mining projects in the U.S.

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Shane B. Smeed announced as 19th president of Utah Tech

by Madisyn BishopPosted on

A Utah Board of Higher Education member announced Shane B. Smeed as the 19th president of Utah Tech University Feb. 26.

After this announcement, Smeed spoke to the audience, and he shared his goals and aspirations for his role at UT.

Smeed said, “This is where I will spend the rest of my career, and I hope to come in as a leader, as a president of this university… to lock arm in arm with each of you to ensure we continue this great momentum.”

The new president of Utah Tech was announced in a room filled with alumni, faculty, staff, students and community members eagerly waiting.

As previously reported by Sun News Daily earlier this week, the three presidential finalists participated in an open forum to allow the campus community to meet and ask each candidate questions.

After a month of deliberation, the presidential search committee finalized three candidates: Philip A. Cavalier, Steven J. Hafen and Shane B. Smeed.

Deven MacDonald, presidential search committee co-chair, gave a speech describing the process of finding a new president. Macdonald was a moderator for the forums on Monday and explained that interviews continued until Wednesday.

When asked for a comment during the announcement for Sun News, Interim President Courtney White declined to comment.

“You have my commitment as the 19th president of this university, to make sure I will lead with great honor, with integrity, with great charity, all for the betterment of our university,” Smeed said.

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Three finalists in Utah Tech’s presidential search

by Madisyn BishopPosted on

The presidential search at Utah Tech University has been a multi-step process that includes the current presidential search committee—comprised of 11 members ranging from faculty to community members—narrowing the search down to three finalists. 

On Feb. 24, forums were held to allow the campus community to meet and ask each candidate questions. 

Each of the finalists had about 45 minutes to answer questions, and each one catered toward their qualifications, which highlighted what they would focus on if they became the president. 

Danny Ipson, a Utah Board of Higher Education member, and Deven Macdonald, a member of the board of trustees at Utah Tech, were co-chairs of the current presidential search committee. They started the forums by stating that this was a way for everyone to meet the candidates and finalists for the presidential search. 

Philip A. Cavalier

The first finalist, Philip A. Cavalier, started the forum with a story about the nontraditional way his parents went to college. He said this experience is why he wants to work at Utah Tech because UT gives students a chance when there may not have been one. 

“My parents were the beneficiaries of schools that made it possible to go to school when they were told it was impossible,” Cavalier said. “I see that kind of opportunity at Utah Tech, as an open-access institution. You’re bringing in students who didn’t think they had a chance to go to college.”

Cavalier currently serves as the provost and senior vice chancellor for academic affairs at the University of Tennessee at Martin, where he has been for the last seven years. Cavalier developed an enrollment strategy at his current position where he raised the retention rate for first-year students to 77%.  

“You’re not just bringing them in, you’re bringing them in and helping them graduate… to help them get to the finish line,” Cavalier said. 

During the forums, Cavalier talked about the importance of maintaining arts programs, focusing on academics and helping students succeed at Utah Tech—which included growing graduate programs. 

“I don’t think that polytechnic means that you can’t or shouldn’t have art programs,” Cavalier said. 

He said it was vital that even engineering students should have experience in art and he plans to keep, if not improve, each fine arts program. 

Steven J. Hafen

The next finalist, Steven J. Hafen, is the administration vice president and chief financial officer at Brigham Young University. His roles include financial services, physical facilities, human resources and more. 

Hafen said the focus of every decision should be on the students to understand their needs and be beneficial for them. 

“I think I have a unique background to not only address the operational needs of the university but to make sure the students are the primary focus of everything we do,” Hafen said. 

He said the focus of the university is to make sure the students are prepared for the workplace and bridging the gap between what happens in the classroom and what happens after, could be improved.

During his forum, he talked about the importance and focus of general education and the comprehensive nature of a broad education.

When asked about his qualifications and experience with diversity, equity and inclusion, Hafen said building an environment where students feel welcome is important. 

Hafen said: “I am a guy that loves everybody, and I know that’s easy to say. At the end of the day, it is making this university a place where any student feels like they belong. Faculty and staff, same thing.”

When asked about the federal lawsuit against Utah Tech, Hafen said: “It starts with me, and I have to lead by example in everything that I do. Having said that, I also think that there are processes in place, policies in place and we have to make sure they are the right policies and processes so we can adhere to them.” 

He said he would not tolerate misbehavior and if it did occur, “the best thing you can do is be transparent about what’s happening and where things are going because the ramifications of bad behavior are noted and you start to ensure that you’re getting the right culture with people doing the right thing.” 

Shane B. Smeed 

The last finalist, Shane B. Smeed is currently a university president at Park University, where he has been for the last five years. Smeed has led extensive and comprehensive campaigns to support academic programs, student services, athletics and campus development. 

He also talked about the importance of transparency as a president and introduced a communication plan to foster engagement and trust among students, faculty, staff and other stakeholders at Park University. 

As said in Utah Tech’s mission, Smeed said concerns should be focused on making academic excellence succeed. He said he meets with the president of Park University’s Faculty Senate once a month to cover any of their concerns, as well as meet with the Faculty Senate as a whole to address and resolve anything they are concerned about. 

When asked how he would work with faculty and hear their concerns, when he sat down with UT’s Faculty Senate Feb. 24, he said his focus would be on not only the growth of the university, but also investing in teaching, scholarship, service and ensuring faculty members are set up for success and given the proper resources. 

“I’m a problem solver, but I would take a more comprehensive approach to strategically look around and see where those opportunities are,” Smeed said. “The only way to solve these problems is to spend time and listen to the lifeblood of the organization, which is the faculty. Thank you for all you do in the classroom… you have my support.”  

Some people asked questions about the diversity created by the name change, the Title IX lawsuit and other areas of concern—to which he responded by saying he himself had more questions and wanted to know more about it. 

His key areas of importance were expanding the trajectory of the university, helping to receive funding from outside resources to take stress off the state of Utah, maintaining the arts despite a focus on polytechnic education, and mostly, creating a strong relationship with students by going to games and other events on campus. 

The Utah State Board of Higher Education has a forum available for anyone to submit concerns they have for the next president, as well as their thoughts about the finalists. This forum is open until Feb. 25, and the new president will be announced Feb. 26 in the Zion Room at the Holland. It is asked guests be seated by 5:15 p.m. 

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Utah Tech policy regarding ICE

by Carly MaxfieldPosted on

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement have begun to conduct raids across the country starting Jan. 26, 2025. 

The raids started out as a means of targeting undocumented migrants who were suspected of committing a crime, but some undocumented individuals who are not suspected criminals have been swept up in these raids.

Due to recent policy changes from the Trump administration, ICE is now allowed to conduct investigations in previously restricted areas such as churches, hospitals and schools.

As uncertainty has kicked up as to whether or not an area is susceptible to a raid, some students have questioned what Utah Tech University’s policy is should ICE come to campus. 

The university sent out a school-wide email Feb. 2 titled “University Response to Federal & State Policy Changes.” In the written response, Ali Threet, dean of students, said how the policy changes will affect UT students. 

The email said students’ private information “will not be released to any individual, agency, or organization without the student’s written consent or a court order.”

When reached out to her for personal comment, Threet did not respond.

Included in the official response is the establishment of a task force that is dedicated to:

  • Reviewing new policies and their implications
  • Providing guidance and resources
  • Addressing concerns while upholding applicable laws and regulations

Tasha Toy, assistant vice president and chief compliance officer, gave insight into concerns or fears that some students may be facing.

“We don’t want to downplay it, but we don’t want to have this heightened sense of angst, because students are here to get an education,” Toy said. “We see and understand what’s going on in the national spotlight, but we also have a duty to create an atmosphere of education for our students to feel protected.

The official policy of Utah Tech, when and if ICE comes to campus, is that the agency will be in contact with the chief of police and any investigations will be coordinated with them, Toy said. ICE will need to have the proper documentation and judge-signed warrants if they want to make an arrest.

Students are not required by law to give any personal information and UT will not give out personal information unless it is ordered to do so by a judge-signed document. Students can also go to the registrar’s office and request to opt out of having their directory information shared.

Ella Parsons, a senior sociology major from Avon, Indiana, has been handing out information cards to other students who may be concerned about their rights. These cards, officially called Red Cards, inform the reader what their rights are while they live in the U.S., whether they are documented or undocumented individuals.

“You can say that you are not interested in speaking about your immigration without a lawyer present,” Parsons said. “Knowing your rights can give you some more protection.”

Other signs with similar sentiments have been posted around campus. These flyers advise people to know what to say and what their rights are in a situation where ICE is questioning the person or has shown up to their place of residence.

Flyer on Utah Tech campus. Photo courtesy Carly Maxfield.

Students at UT can look to the official response released by the university for further insight into the university’s policy should an ICE raid occur on campus.

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OPINION | The struggles of a college student with chronic illness, need for change

by Madisyn BishopPosted on

As a college student with a chronic illness, I am bound by the labels society forces upon me.

I have endometriosis, postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome and a multitude of unexplainable symptoms and ailments that have yet to be diagnosed. I don’t broadcast this unless people ask, and I try my hardest to look normal on the outside, despite feeling like I’m dying on the inside.

Being chronically ill is all-consuming, and the world is not created to support that.

When people know I am chronically ill everything changes

Being chronically ill makes me the eternal outsider, forever forced to watch everyone around me have fun while I am stuck on the sidelines. I don’t get invited to parties, games, events and whatever else is going on because frankly, the pain I live in dictates my life and makes me unreliable. I am so tired of constantly being looked over because I just want to be included in things every college student participates in.

It is incredibly difficult for me to feel like a human, like I’m something more than just my pain and the symptoms that control my life, and the consistent exclusion from life does not help that.

Everyone with a chronic illness could tell you that on the 1-10 pain scale, our level five is a healthy person’s level 10. When my pain is at a level 10, that usually means that I’m past the point of emergency—I might be dying. This is entirely inexplicable to a person without a chronic illness because the pain we live in is just impossible to understand.

I know people can’t understand what I go through every day, and I know that people don’t pity me or treat me less than on purpose or maliciously. But this doesn’t change the fact that being chronically ill changes how people view you.

What needs to change

The world is created for people who can easily walk up stairs and ramps without passing out, for people who can eat anything on campus and for people who can wake up feeling comfortable in their own bodies.

The Centers for Disease and Control reported around 40% of Americans have a chronic illness. In this report, they used examples such as high blood pressure, diabetes or arthritis, but the argument still stands and proves that many of us with an invisible illness are constantly overlooked.

My life is dictated by the pain I am in, and sometimes it is impossible to go to class. Unfortunately, even with aid from the Disability Resource Center, I still do not get the help I need when I need to miss class.

Most professors now require a doctor’s note to be excused from class, but going to the doctor for me is entirely useless and redundant. I cannot go into a doctor’s office because there is nothing they can do for me. Therefore, I can’t get any doctor’s notes, and I just have to suffer through the pain and go to class so I don’t lose my grade.

I don’t think it’s complete ignorance on anyone’s part; people just use and abuse being sick to miss class so I understand the mistrust, but the DRC isn’t as helpful as it should be. The harsh reality is our campus is inaccessible, even if a large percentage of the population has a chronic illness.

Due to both of my illnesses, physical exertion for me is entirely different from anybody else. Walking up stairs spikes my heart rate, which makes me feel like I have just run a marathon, making me tired and dizzy for hours. Even though I technically could go the “long way” to avoid the stairs, the long walk does the exact same thing, and I cannot even begin to imagine what that would be like for a person in a wheelchair.

This all needs to change, and the first step is changing how we are treated. The best thing anyone can do for a person who is chronically ill is to educate yourself on their diseases—don’t stay ignorant. Learn that we are not a liability, and are still capable of living.

It’s easy to stay ignorant, to hear your friends say they are sick and do nothing about it. It is easy to hear “I am so sorry,” but the best thing—at least for me—is when they say, “How can I help?”

Be understanding, be supporting, but don’t pity us. Just changing your mindset is the fastest way to change our life.

The second step is changing the campus to become accessible. The stairs, hills and status of the ramps on campus need to be fixed. Many of the buildings on campus, like the Holland Centennial Commons or the Gardner building, seem like accessibility was an afterthought.

Entering either building requires me to go all the way around to avoid hills and stairs—and that isn’t OK. I sincerely hope when buildings are remodeled and built, accessibility becomes a forethought and it becomes easier to use elevators or enter the buildings.

I know being a professor is difficult, and dealing with chronically ill students is frustrating. But when professors offered students who were sick to Zoom into class, my life seriously changed.

This small addition allowed me to stay home when I was in too much pain and not miss class, and each classroom is capable of this. Each classroom has a camera and microphone for this exact thing, and I have only ever had two professors offer this.

It’s a small change that creates a massive and positive impact for us, and it all starts with being less ignorant. I am a college student with a chronic illness, and I am bound by the labels society forces upon me, but it doesn’t need to stay that way. Changing the way society views the chronically ill could be the difference between living life and suffering through it.

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Carson Warner wins Mr. Trailblazer, sets goals to connect with community

by Karston MinerPosted on

The Mr. Trailblazer event is a place for students to show off their school spirit and connect with their community. This year’s Mr. Trailblazer, Carson Warner, was crowned because of his performance in the pageant.

Warner is a junior criminal justice major from Las Vegas. He is the vice president of student life for Utah Tech Student Association and was additionally awarded Mr. Congeniality. His two main goals as Mr. Trailblazer are to serve his community and to promote campus involvement. 

One way Warner works toward these goals is through his work at UTSA. As the vice president of student life, Warner oversees all the Wednesday events, as well as the big dances like Foam Dance, Inferno and Chaos. He said that through these events, students can engage with their community and find a sense of home.

Warner said: ”I have been a part of UTSA since my freshman year… I have been super involved in the UTSA side of campus involvement and I just do whatever I can do to support the university.”

During Mr. Trailblazer, Warner performed the dance from the movie “Napoleon Dynamite.” His childhood dog Badger also made an appearance on stage to support Warner during the final walk.

UTSA director of traditions Journey Catlett, a junior marketing major from Wasilla, Alaska, was in charge of hosting and planning the event.

Catlett said: “I was so happy for everyone. They did great and they all got along really well. It was a great team. They were super positive and super upbeat the entire time, so it made the whole process for me a breeze. Honestly, I couldn’t be more thankful.”

Previous Mr. Trailblazer Tyler Quincy, a senior sociology major from West Jordan, said he was there for all of the rehearsals and enjoyed being a part of the process and seeing their hard work pay off.

Quincy said: “I actually had a really good time. I really like watching each boy grow into their talent and into the opening number… It was really cool to watch them get excited about it.”

One piece of advice Quincy would give to Warner is to “make it your own.” He said there are no requirements for what Mr. Trailblazer does, so he recommends that Warner does what he can to make the most of his Mr. Trailblazer experience.

Quincy said: “I want Carson Warner to create what he wants for it. Do what he wants to do so he can have the best time with his title.”

The title of Mr. Trailblazer has been passed down to Warner. He goes into the future with plans to serve his community and improve student engagement.

Warner said: “I want to emphasize how fun this event was… I really want students to participate next year that show off unique areas of Utah Tech.”

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English honor society students holding annual rummage sale to raise money for national convention

by Carly MaxfieldPosted on

The English honor society Sigma Tau Delta is having their annual rummage sale March 1 to raise funding for a trip to a national English convention in Pittsburgh this year.

The rummage sale offers a variety of items for buyers to look through and purchase. Things like second-hand clothing, furniture, TVs and other home decor items are available to buy. 

This year, the Utah Tech chapter of Sigma Tau Delta, Alpha Pi Epsilon, is also hosting a community clothing swap alongside the sale for people in the community to trade clothing or for those in need to get free clothes. 

Students and community members interested in donating items to the sale can do so by attending one of the two drop-offs Feb. 26 and Feb. 28 located in the Jeffrey R. Holland Centennial Commons and Library roundabout. 

Students in Sigma Tau Delta submit papers to the convention that cover a wide variety of topics. Categories include research papers on literature, creative writing, short stories and many more. Ami Comeford, the Sigma Tau Delta adviser and professor of English, said the convention is a great opportunity for students.

“They get to really go and see how well they stack up against the best of the best all over the country because these are the honor students, you have to be a member of Sigma Tau Delta to go,” Comeford said.

The convention is important to attend for students because it gives the opportunity for professional experience in the field. Tilly Gibb, a senior English major from St. George and president of the honor society, said it is the first chance for a lot of students to be able to present their writing on a stage.

“That’s one of the things that is so great about the convention,” Gibb said. “They have so many different categories that you can submit in, so any student is able to find their niche area.”

Students must have their writing reviewed before they even get to attend the event and present, so it represents Utah Tech’s professional level English students in a national conference.

Not only does the rummage sale help out the students in Sigma Tau Delta, but it’s also an event that involves community members and students alike with the sale acting as community outreach.

Gaylen Bailey, a junior English major from St. George, said the sale is a great way of getting rid of things people don’t use anymore, help out the community and the students trying to get funding for the trip. 

“We’ll be selling items for that [the convention trip] but we will also have a ton of clothing to be picked up for free,” Bailey said.

For further details on the event and more information on drop-off dates and the location, you can visit the official Instagram for the Utah Tech Sigma Tau Delta chapter. For further questions about the event, email [email protected].

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OPINION | Why CHASS must be protected from budget cuts

by Alyssa BaylesPosted on

Picture this: a society where books are banned and prohibited from being discussed due to sensitive materials. History is no longer a priority in education, allowing the government to frame and change the past. Censorship has taken over, suppressing the voices of the public.

In 1953, “Fahrenheit 451” was published by Ray Bradbury, warning our society of the dangers of censorship and the importance of free thought. In Bradbury’s novel, the government has used technology to take away the critical thinking skills of the people and to reshape the past.

However, how far off is our society from following in these footsteps?

A majority of states are already banning books in education based on content deemed inappropriate. Utah is amongst this list with 13 books banned from all public schools across the state. Additionally, certain university programs might be threatened by HB 265, taking us one step closer to a dystopian society.

The Higher Education Strategic Reinvestment Bill, HB 265, was proposed on the first day of the 2025 Utah State Legislature session. This bill enacts and amends provisions regarding the funding of certain programs in higher education, due to the legislature removing $60 million from institutions statewide to be placed in a reinvestment fund.

The bill “requires each degree-granting institution to create a strategic reinvestment plan to reallocate funding from certain programs and divisions of the institution to certain programs and divisions that merit additional investment.” This reallocation will occur in programs considered “underperforming.”

Universities have been reassuring their students that no certain program will be targeted; however, will less popular, but just as important, programs be deemed underperforming and have funding cut?

Or my fear, will the College of Humanities and Social Sciences department be deemed underperforming and receive funding cuts?

Feeling the fears and stress of students, faculty and the public, it is important that the CHASS department does not receive drastic funding cuts from HB 265.

Now, I am not saying any certain major is more important than the other. A diverse set of programs allows our society to run functionally and smoothly. However, the CHASS department at any institute creates essential skills to form a well-rounded person.

I might be a little biased as an English major and communication minor, but I have thoroughly enjoyed the last four years at Utah Tech University thanks to the CHASS department.

The CHASS department includes a variety of important programs that teach students vital information. Utah Tech’s CHASS department programs include:

Furthermore, Utah Tech’s CHASS website states, “Our programs prepare students for 21st-century jobs by focusing on the skills that employers prioritize, including effective oral and written communication, critical thinking, collaborative teamwork and sophisticated analytical skills.”

No matter what job students pursue after graduation, they would benefit from the skills gained from the CHASS department.

Additionally, the CHASS department has provided me with opportunities that might not have been offered if funding was cut. Through this department, I have been given hands-on opportunities to study abroad in Greece for two weeks, work as the copy editor for Sun News Daily, create a journal as the managing editor for Southern Quill, join an English honor society and make countless new friends. 

Beyond the entry-level classes offered, I have been able to take a variety of unique classes due to the available funding. For example, one of my favorite classes was Queens of Mystery & Mayhem, where we discussed and read books/short stories by Agatha Christie and Dorothy L. Sayers. This class was offered to not only English majors, but allowed anyone to dive into some of the original mystery and thriller writers. While this class was not a part of the core curriculum, it ended up being one of my favorite classes.

Don’t get me wrong, the high enrollment majors are important. Yes, we need doctors, nurses and supposedly business majors. However, it is the skills learned from the CHASS department that prevent our society from becoming a dystopian novel. It is the writers telling stories, the reporters revealing facts and the historians reminding us of the past that keep our society in check.

With HB 265 making its way through Utah State Legislation, it is important to consider certain skill sets that might be erased if funding is cut from the CHASS department. Therefore, it is a necessity the CHASS department does not receive severe funding cuts. Let’s leave the dystopian societies to the books and not take any steps closer to following in their footsteps.

As Martha Nussbaum said, “The humanities are the heartbeat of democracy, and we need to fight to keep them alive and well.”

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Big Screen Verdict: ‘Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy’

by Lexy BorgognoPosted on

The majority of “Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy” had me thinking this was going to be a rom-com that left me feeling indifferent. To my surprise, the final 30 minutes of the movie hit me like a truck, which resulted in an emotional outpour. 

I adore the character Bridget Jones, played by Renée Zellweger, and all her quirks that make her feel like your non-typical rom-com lead. She’s messy, unorganized, wild and chaotic, yet she’s relatable, honest and brave. So, when I heard they were making a fourth film to the “Bridget Jones” series, I knew I had to see it the minute it was released. 

This fourth film follows Jones navigating life after the death of her husband Mark Darcy, played by Colin Firth. She jumps back into the dating pool to find herself in a relationship with a much younger man, but ultimately ends up dating one of her children’s teachers. 

As you can imagine from the previous description, it’s not the most thrilling movie I’ve seen. In fact the majority of the movie had me thinking, “Oh no… this series that I love is now ruined by this one singular movie.”

However, I guess I’m a rom-com type of gal at heart because the final 30 minutes prevailed and showed what the real meaning of the movie is—how to navigate feelings of grief. 

What worked

When we finally got down to the meaning of the story—it took the movie long enough but we got there—I was finally able to connect emotionally with Jones and feel what she’s been feeling. 

That moment happens in one specific scene where her son is singing at a school choir concert. Jones herself said that for the first time since her husband died, she is able to understand that her family is going to be OK. 

During this serene moment, there’s a pan to the left and we see Darcy standing there, watching his son. When I tell you I immediately cried, I mean sobbed. That’s an emotional depiction to see in a film because while I personally believe our dead loved ones walk among us, it’s SO realistic to see it on screen. 

I truly felt like I was transported into the movie at that moment because of how connected I felt. Emotions speak louder than anything. I appreciate Darcy still had a part in this film, despite being dead in it, because honestly, he’s the reason why I initially started watching this film series. Firth has that charismatic persona that you can’t help but fall in love with. 

Not only did we get to see Darcy on screen, but we saw how Jones progressed into continuing on without guilt. Survivor’s guilt is real, and we see her overcome that. 

While I connected emotionally with the in-depth themes of grief and second chances, I also loved seeing all the Easter eggs and nods to the previous films. There was Jones, once again, standing in the snow as a man confessed his love for her and the iconic moose sweater Darcy wears. Only this time, his son is wearing it at the end of the movie. 

What didn’t work 

Yes, I’m a sucker for rom-coms but I’ll be honest. Most of this movie felt like fluff. We didn’t get down to the nitty gritty until the end of the movie. I understand wanting to keep it light-hearted but there was simply too much fluff. 

For example, a giant chunk of the film is about Jones and her new relationship with a younger man. That’s all fine and dandy with me but it gets to the point where I ask myself, “OK, what’s the main idea here?”

The amount of time the film uses to show this relationship is too much for a character that ends up not mattering in the end. Faster progression into Jones’ emotions dealing with grief would’ve cut a lot of the fluff, instead of watching her use Tinder. 

Because of this, most of the film felt surface level which created that doubt within me that I might not love this movie as much as its predecessors, and that fear lasted up until the final act. 

My other source of contention is that this wasn’t released in theaters, only on Peacock. Now, I assume that’s a financial contract deal the makers had with Peacock, but be so for real with me. You cannot make a movie part of an iconic series and ONLY release it on streaming. They should’ve at LEAST released it both on Peacock and in theaters. 

The verdict 

While the majority of this film was fluff, there was the sentimental impact of grief and Jones living her second chance at love. She learns how to continue moving forward in life despite leaving someone in the past, because they’re not really in the past but walking with us every day. 

I’m rating “Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy” a 3.5 out of five stars and while you cannot see it in theaters, I can truthfully say I bought a subscription to Peacock solely to watch it—and it was worth every penny. 

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