New feature at Estradiol Illusions! Take a trip with us back to Downton Abbey for an in-depth look at one of the show's most fascinating characters. After being introduced as the show's primary antagonist in season one, Thomas Barrow largely sheaths his villainous inclinations, growing to become a figure with great depth. Ian explores Barrow's full series arc and the ways he gradually endeared himself to the audience. 

If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to check out Ian's in-depth review of the Downton Abbey film: https://ianthomasmalone.podbean.com/e/downton-abbey-1569517256/

Please leave a review on Apple or wherever you get your podcasts if you feel so inclined.

Photo courtesy of Carnival Films

We are delighted to welcome Michael McElhatton to the show to talk about his new film The Last Right, a beautiful Irish road movie. April also marks the tenth anniversary of the premiere of Game of Thrones, where Michael played Roose Bolton, who's either an arch-villain or a pretty decent guy depending on how you feel about a certain dinner party hosted by Walder Frey. Michael shares plenty of thoughts on Thrones, The Last Right, Zack Snyder's Justice League, and so much more.

The Last Right is currently available in theatres and on VOD. 

Ian's review of the film: https://ianthomasmalone.com/2021/04/the-last-right-is-a-touching-meditation-on-grief-with-plenty-of-laughs/

Film poster courtesy of Level 33 Entertainment. Headshot courtesy of Michael McElhatton

March 31st is International Transgender Day of Visibility. Ian would really like to see the day switched to Transgender Day of Action or Day of Hiring a Trans Person. Trans people are visible. Trans people don't need additional visibility. Trans people need equity.

More than 80 anti-transgender bills have been introduced in state legislatures across the country in 2021 alone. Tennessee, Arkansas, and Mississippi have passed bills targeting trans healthcare and participation in sports. Trans people deserve more than to be seen, we need a seat at the table. 

We are back on the Island of Sodor for another edition of TTTE & Chill, the number one Thomas the Tank Engine recap show in the world. Percy’s Ghostly Trick is a sentimental favorite tape. Ian & Tara break down the intricacies of Percy’s prank, Douglas’ daring rescue of Oliver, the infamous “Thanksgiving” episode, and the handling of the regatta medical emergency in All at Sea.

This tape covers the following episodes

• Thomas’ Anthem (music video)

Be sure to check out all of our other episodes of TTTE & Chill! 

Photo courtesy of the Britt Allcroft Company

Grab your lavender and your little birds, we’re going to Westeros. Join Ian for a solo episode all about Lord Varys. As someone who knows what it’s like to lose their balls, Ian feels a kindred connection to the Spider. For his talent, George R.R. Martin often portrays Varys in an exceedingly cartoonish fashion that plays into homophobic stereotypes. Join for a close reading of many of Varys’ key passages.

This episode will cover the following chapters:

A Game of Thrones

• Catelyn IV

A Clash of Kings

• Tyrion I

A Storm of Swords

• Sansa I

A Feast for Crows

• Cersei I

A Dance with Dragons

• Tyrion I

For a complete list of our ASOIAF episodes, check out our neatly organized episode page. https://ianthomasmalone.podbean.com/p/episode-categories/

Image courtesy of HBO

Come take a ride with us to Westview! Alexandra August returns to the show for a delightful discussion all about Wandavision, which kicked off Phase 4 of the MCU. We talk about what worked, what didn't work, how amazing Kathryn Hahn is, and all the fan theories that didn't quite pan out. Maybe Mephisto didn't want to step inside New Jersey? Who could blame him! 

You can follow Alexandra at @alxaugust

Ian's review of the series: https://ianthomasmalone.com/2021/01/wandavision-isnt-designed-to-meet-expectations/

Series poster courtesy of Disney.

Grab your phaser and your away team, because we're heading to Vagra II. "Skin of Evil" lives on in Trek infamy for the senseless death of Tasha Var. Armus is one of science fiction's earliest incels, taking the spotlight away from a female character in order to harass the rest of the crew with his endless whining. Natty Strange, co-author of the iconic web comic Pokey the Penguin, returns to the show to discuss this mess of an episode.

As Data put it, Armus has "no redeeming qualities." That's probably true, except with that annoying pile of goop, we probably wouldn't be talking about this episode. Tasha deserved better. We all deserve better.

You can follow Nat on Twitter @nuns_on_film. Be sure to check out her new Star Trek blog, deepspacenat.com.

You can follow Pokey the Penguin's latest adventures by checking out Pokey's website https://www.yellow5.com/pokey/ & @pokeythepenguin

Photo courtesy of Paramount. 

We delighted to welcome Adrienne Wilkinson to the show for a wide-ranging interview including her new film Dreamcatcher. Fans of Estradiol Illusions may know Adrienne best for her roles as Eve on Xena: Warrior Princess, Daughter in Star Wars: The Clone Wars, Maris Brood in Star Wars: The Force Unleashed, and as Captain Lexxa Singh in Star Trek: Renegades. Adrienne shares many fascinating insights from her career throughout so many iconic franchises.

Dreamcatcher is available March 5th, on demand and digital, on Amazon, Apple, Redbox, and other major VOD services.

Ian’s review of the film: https://ianthomasmalone.com/2021/03/dreamcatcher-subverts-slasher-norms-in-an-intriguing-horror-narrative/

Headshot courtesy of Adrienne Wilkinson. Photo by Damu Malik.

Poster and stills courtesy of Samuel Goldwyn Films.

American civilization collapses as cancel culture claims its next victim, the valiant Mr. Potato Head. Except he isn’t going anywhere. Hasbro dropped the “Mr.” from its broader Potato Head branding. Mrs. Potato Head can serve at the altar of capitalism without the oppressive patriarchy creeping over her shoulder.

Ian breaks down all the Potato Head nonsense and what this whole saga is really about. LGBTQ families deserve to see themselves reflected in the corporate consumerist culture that rules over our society.

Potato head logo courtesy of Hasbro. 

We are delighted to welcome Douglas Goldstein, creator of Devil May Care and head writer of Robot Chicken. Devil May Care is a new animated series starring Alan Tudyk & Asif Ali that offers a fresh perspective on hell. Douglas talks about his experiences crafting both shows, their differing styles of humor, and the challenges of packing humor and narrative into an eleven-minute runtime.

Devil May Care airs at 12:00 am Saturday night as part of SYFY's TZGZ block. You can watch the first three episodes on NBC.com here: https://www.nbc.com/devil-may-care

Ian's review of the series: https://ianthomasmalone.com/2021/02/devil-may-care-finds-humor-and-heart-in-the-depths-of-hell/

All photos courtesy of SYFY