Back on the Block

It’s Christmas in July here on the block as Thomas Calabro directs a holiday-themed episode. It’s a mixed bag of heavy-handed scenes and some cute moments that allow the characters to breathe. Plus, a special appearance by Jon Secada (remember him?).

Karen and Doug revisit “Mare of Easttown” and discuss “No Sudden Move.

There’s a whole lot of Lexi going on in this episode. And we say more Coop and less Craig and Connie.

And that’s just in the titles we’re talking about! These include “Kevin Can F**k Himself,” a rare “Ragnarok”/”Loki” pairing, and the women’s soccer doc “LFG.” Happy Fourth of July!

Kyle is utterly vile, and it is character assassination. Will Michael ever learn Megan’s favorite song? Meanwhile, Connie’s MO seems to change horses mid-stream. (“Wag the Dog” throwback included in this podcast!)

We talk about “Thunder Force,” “Luca,” the latest season of “The Handmaid’s Tale” and (what else) industry double standards!

Does this episode have the worst wedding ever? Could be. Also, a lot of empowered Kyle stalking off goes an even longer way.

We talk about the movie adaptation of "In the Heights" and the true-crime podcast "To Live and Die in L.A." (Spoiler alert: not everyone lives.)

Eric continues to dangle his indecent proposal in front of Amanda as Kyle's world collapses, Billy has a bachelor party, and someone get Mrs. Shaw away from Wilshire Memorial, STAT!

We touch down on “Cruella,” “Mare of Easttown,” “The Sister,” “Sons of Sam,” classics old (“My Man Godfrey”) and new (“Julie and Julia”) with a soupcon of chat about Meryl Streep.