We recap the first episode of Season 8 of ‘Game of Thrones,' breaking down what we liked and didn’t like from the season premiere (02:01). Then we look ahead to ‘Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker’ (39:10).

      
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‘Game of Thrones’ Goes Back to the Basics (for Better or for Worse), Plus ‘Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker’ | The Watch

Every week, The Ringer's Andy Greenwald and Chris Ryan -- longtime friends and pop culture addicts -- break down the latest in TV, movies, and music.

TV & Film

Chris and Andy talk about the news that Apple TV will be making a ‘For All Mankind’ spinoff called ‘Star City,’ and adapting another one of Mick Herron’s novels (author of ‘Slow Horses’) for a show starring Emma Thompson (1:00). Then, they talk about an article in Harper’s that looks at the role private equity firms have played in the TV industry over the past decade (13:38), before discussing the penultimate episode of ‘Shogun’ (29:07) and episodes 4 and 5 of ‘Ripley’ (59:09).

Read the Harper’s piece here.

Hosts: Chris Ryan and Andy Greenwald
Producer: Kaya McMullen
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Apple Gets Into the Franchise Business, the Penultimate Episode of ‘Shogun,’ and ‘Ripley’ Episodes 4 and 5

Chris and Andy talk about some of the things they watched over the weekend, including a supersized episode of ‘Bluey’ (1:00) and 'Saturday Night Live' hosted by Ryan Gosling (15:51). Then, they talk about the first episode of ‘The Sympathizer’ and whether shows are helped or hurt by having a famous director like Park Chan-wook direct the first few episodes (22:16). Finally, they discuss ‘Fallout’ and where it ranks among other video game adaptations, such as ‘The Last of Us’ (42:12).

Hosts: Chris Ryan and Andy Greenwald
Producer: Kaya McMullen
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Weekend Watches, ‘The Sympathizer,’ and ‘Fallout’

Chris and Andy talk about some news from the week, including the trailer for ‘Joker: Folie à Deux’ and the announcement that the John le Carré adaptation ‘The Night Manager’ will be returning for two more seasons (1:00). Then they talk about the latest episode of ‘Shogun’ (16:49) and Episode 3 of ‘Ripley’ (41:14) before discussing how they are liking this season of ‘Top Chef’ so far (53:04).

Hosts: Chris Ryan and Andy Greenwald
Producer: Kaya McMullen
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‘Shogun’ Episode 8, ‘Ripley’ Episode 3, and ‘Top Chef’ Episode 4

Chris and Andy talk about the series finale of ‘Curb Your Enthusiasm’ and how the show has evolved over its 12-season run (1:00). Then, they talk about the first two episodes of ‘Ripley’ and how it may be the best thing on Netflix since ‘Mindhunter’ (15:06). Finally, they get into the first two episodes of the Colin Farrell show ‘Sugar’ and how it’s hard to judge the show when they know an extreme twist is coming (41:53).

Hosts: Chris Ryan and Andy Greenwald
Producer: Kaya McMullen 
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The ‘Curb Your Enthusiasm’ Series Finale, ‘Ripley,’ and ‘Sugar’

Chris and Andy talk about the news that Julia Garner was cast as a version of Silver Surfer in the upcoming ‘Fantastic Four’ movie (1:00) and give some love to the second season of ‘Tokyo Vice’ (10:46). Then they break down the seventh episode of ‘Shogun’ and talk about how the show’s long production road helped deepen the characters (17:18). Finally, they talk about Episodes 6-8 of ‘3 Body Problem’ and whether there will be a second season of the show (36:18).

Hosts: Chris Ryan and Andy Greenwald
Producer: Kaya McMullen
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‘Game of Thrones’ Goes Back to the Basics (for Better or for Worse), Plus ‘Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker’ | The Watch

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