Crossing Streams

Vince Gilligan's new show Pluribus is looking like it might just be a masterpiece. On this episode of Crossing Streams, Craig Elsten and Chris Reed take a look at the big themes and moments from episodes 4-6 of the first season. The show contains spoilers for all six episodes of the series to date. 

SHOW TIME CODES

:30 Intro
4:00 quick housekeeping
5:30 Episodes 4-6 had a theme: discovery for Carol
10:00 Rhea Seehorn is carrying the rock for Pluribus, but we will meet Manousos
14:30 Jeff Hiller appearance!
18:00 Carol’s diabolical plot to learn the truth in episode 4
23:00 Manousos can’t get here from there
27:45 The crazy visuals and methodical montages of episode 5
34:00 The Hamlin-Phone
36:00 transitioning to episode 6 and Empty Las Vegas
38:45 Pluribus as an allegory for AI re: Diabate in Vegas
44:15 you down with HDP?
48:15 The Others are colonizers and consent hypocrites
54:00 circling back to Koumba’s role and viewpoint
59:45 What We’re Watching

Craig Elsten and Chris Reed get together on the eve of Thanksgiving to go over Netflix's historical drama Death By Lightning. One of the hosts liked it a little bit more than the other, but there's a lot to unpack with an All-Star cast and a fascinating look at a less-known time in American history. 

SHOW TIME CODES

:30 Intro, giving thanks to our audience and co-host
5:00 Getting into Death By Lightning
8:30 over-arching thoughts on the limited series
14:00 appreciating the four-episode run time
16:30 who had the most dynamic performance in the series?
21:45 Matthew McFadyen’s performance as Giteau
25:00 the crazy lax security around Garfield
28:15 the best wig of 2025
31:30 did Death By Lightning take liberties with history?
35:00 a slow finish—reflecting on Garfield’s legacy
40:00 Giteau’s final moments
44:15 What We’re Watching

Craig Elsten and Chris Reed return for episode #260 of Crossing Streams, taking on perhaps the TV event of 2025 in Vince Gilligan's new series, Pluribus, for Apple TV. In the (short) non-spoiler zone the guys offer their general thoughts on the series and on Gilligan's talent. Then in the spoiler zone, a look at everything which has made the first three episodes of Pluribus so riveting, thought-provoking and funny. Both guys said after recording this was their favorite podcast of the year, so please enjoy!

SUBJECT TIME CODE MENU

:30 Intro/housekeeping
NON-SPOILER ZONE
3:40 Opening thoughts on Pluribus from both hosts
10:15 Vince Gilligan is in his bag and a master of his craft
SPOILER ZONE
13:15 The first episode of Pluribus is an all-timer
15:15 The art of “show don’t tell”
19:00 Rhea Seehorn’s performance as Carol
24:00 Does Carol have a drinking problem? Is she a reliable narrator?
29:00 The surprising humor of Pluribus
37:00 Is The Joining a metaphor for Heaven?
41:30 Is The Joining a utopia or are The Others concealing a lot still?
45:00 the use of the countdown/count-up clock as a storytelling device
55:30 What We’re Watching

If you like this podcast, please give us a five-star review and/or kind written review on your podcast platform of choice, and thanks as always for your time and support!

Craig Elsten and Chris Reed get back together to talk about the finish of The Lowdown, a show that was beloved by both. The guys get into the storylines from the final three episodes, before welcoming on actor Eric Edelstein, who played Blackie on the show. Longtime friends with Chris, Eric gets into the magic of Sterlin Harjo's set, working in Tulsa, the process of getting the gig and much, much more!

:30 Intro/housekeeping/spoiler warning
5:00 narrative momentum of the final three episodes
8:00 a show made with a lot of love
11:00 creating a well-rounded character in Lee Raybon
17:00 episode 8 brought Lee and Marty together
21:00 directorial flourishes and one-shots
27:00 the relationship between Lee and his daughter
36:30 Eric Edelstein interview

Craig Elsten is joined by one of the patrons from the Padres Hot Tub discord, Oliver the Baseball Nihilist, to discuss a series near and dear to both of their hearts, The Diplomat on Netflix. In the non-spoiler zone of the show, the hosts discuss why they like The Diplomat and what makes it such a compelling watch. In the spoiler zone, the guys go all the way in on the big moments of the third season, the wild plot twists in the finale, and what it means for a season four. 

SHOW NOTES/TIMES

:30 Intro, welcome Oliver, housekeeping
NON-SPOILER ZONE
3:30 why do we like The Diplomat generally?
8:00 Keri Russell keeps bringing you back
9:45 the show reflects a different era of politics
12:30 Would The Diplomat be better served by a weekly release instead of binge schedule?
16:15 a very strong bench of supporting characters
SPOILER ZONE
18:55 amazing political drama in season three, but the romance wasn’t as strong
22:30 episode six, our favorite of the season
25:30 did The Diplomat try to cram too much plot into season three?
30:00 the big season finale twist between Kate and Hal, was it earned?
35:00 Rufus Sewell had an amazing season
44:00 in praise of Rory Kinnear as Trowbridge
47:45 do we buy all of Kate’s decisions this season?
52:30 how can The Diplomat keep Kate in London for a fourth season?
56:30 What We’re Watching

If you enjoy the podcast, please leave us a five-star rating on your podcast platform of choice! Feel free to email us with your thoughts on The Diplomat at: [email protected]

Craig Elsten and Chris Reed are back to share their thoughts on the final two episodes of Task, where Brad Ingelsby has grown as a showrunner, the themes of redemption that ran through the series, and whether or not there should be a second season. What did YOU think about Task? Email the show at: [email protected] and we'll read your replies on a future show! 

SHOW NOTES/TIMES

:30 intro/housekeeping
2:45 overall thoughts on the full season of Task
11:00 themes of redemption
14:30 is Grasso going to jail or was he redeemed too?
19:00 Would Tom have really let Maeve keep the money?
22:00 Episode Six was a BANGER
29:30 should there be a second season of Task?
34:00 What We’re Watching

Craig Elsten and Chris Reed get together to discuss a show that each believes will be in their respective Top-10 lists by the end of the year, The Lowdown on FX (and Hulu/Disney+). The guys go through the incredible cast and performances, the overall vibe of the show and where they think the first season might wind up. Then, a look at how Platonic wrapped up its second season, what the creators have left for a third season, and if lower stakes might actually help the show's longevity. 

Don't forget, you can email the show at [email protected] with your thoughts on this show, or any of the others we've covered! We'll read your emails on a future podcast. 

SHOW TIMING NOTES

:30 Intro/housekeeping
3:00 Initial thoughts on The Lowdown
5:00 Ethan Hawke star turn as Lee Raybon
9:00 getting into the mysteries of the show
14:00 An all-star supporting cast
17:30 the many influences of The Lowdown
22:30 guessing where we are headed in the last episodes
26:15 Peter Dinklage shows up in ep5 to win an Emmy
32:45 Platonic season two finale review
35:45 How many times can Will and Sylvia fight and get back together as friends?
42:30 Who had the worse fictional novel, Platonic or Smoke?
44:00 Could Platonic last longer with smaller stakes?
48:30 Flowers for supporting cast performances
52:30 What We’re Watching

In a bonus edition on this week's Crossing Streams feed, Craig Elsten is joined by Danny Deskjob to review season two of Peacemaker, on HBO Max. The guys start with a 15-minute non-spoiler zone, to generally discuss the show. Then they get into all the spoilers from season two, including some controversial decisions made in the season finale, and the announcement from James Gunn on Friday that Peacemaker would likely not come back for a third season, but instead have its characters folded into other DCU properties. 

SHOW NOTES

:30 Intro/housekeeping
NON-SPOILER ZONE
4:15 thoughts on Peacemaker the series as a whole
9:00 Peacemaker succeeds as an R-rated comedy
11:00 the best intro on TV 13:00 going through the cast of Peacemaker
17:45 a multiverse story that actually works
SPOILER ZONE
19:30 Was this a seven-episode season and a one-episode DCU set-up for the future?
24:30 going through the major plot points of season two
27:30 the use of Earth-X as Peacemaker’s alternate universe
32:30 the best parts of the finale
36:30 critiques of the finale 
38:30 incepting Foxy Shazam into all of our lives
44:00 using the *series* finale of Peacemaker as a set-up for future DCU properties
53:00 What’s Danny Watching

Craig Elsten and Chris Reed are most of the way down the tracks on the riveting HBO Sunday night drama, Task. In this episode, the guys begin with non-spoiler thoughts on the show for anyone who may not have watched yet or gotten up-to-date. Then, they go through the key storylines through the first five episodes of the show, and offer thoughts on the final two episodes to come. 

SHOW RUNDOWN

:30 Intro
NON-SPOILER ZONE
3:00 Initial thoughts on Task as a whole so far
6:00 Showrunner Brad Ingelsby, comps to Mare of Easttown
10:00 An appreciation of the consequences of action in Task
2:00 Basic show set-up 16:00 Exploring the secondary characters
18:45 Chris’ thoughts on the portrayal of the biker gang Dark Hearts
22:00 Is Maeve the show’s emotional center?
SPOILER ZONE
26:30 Talking about episode five
27:45 Where the Heat-to-Task comparison fails
32:30 Discussion of the mole within the task force
37:00 the use of religion in Task
42:00 Is Task a little too writer-y, or just right for HBO Sunday night?
45:00 predictions for the final two episodes
51:00 Is the Sam storyline over with? 
52:45 What We’re Watching

Craig and Chris are again joined by Ken Gartin to go through the finale of Alien: Earth. Two of our three panelists were really let down by the finale, while one saw the promise for future seasons. What did you think? Email the show at [email protected]! 

SHOW NOTES

:30 Intro
3:00 Initial thoughts on the season one finale
10:30 The deathpool that wasn’t
14:45 how does a season finale wind up so static?
20:00 Is Sydney overpowered?
26:00 What is the extent of the Eyeball’s abilities?
31:30 Has Alien: Earth made the Xenomorph too tame?
39:30 Has the finale changed your opinion of the season as a whole?
51:30 What We’re Watching