Hostel 43

For our final episode of the year, we've decided to take a break from TV reviews to have a casual chat about the work we've put out this year. We answer listener questions, reflect on what we've learnt thus far, and discuss our podcast highlights and lowlights of the year. As usual, please give us a rating on Apple and Spotify, follow us on Twitter, Instagram, TikTok; and of course have a Happy New Year!

With the recent reboot of a 90's classic, we couldn't help but wonder if a Sex & the City review was in order. A show that is simultaneously contemporary and nostalgic, progressive and regressive, seductive and (at times) cringey. Join us for part 1 as we analyse two of our four leading ladies- Charlotte, and Miranda. We talk about: Charlotte's *determination* to find a husband, why your 20's probably aren't your prime years, how Hillary Clinton is clearly a Miranda, and the mystery that is men. 

And we're back with more Vampire Diaries discourse! This time round we focus on: the best and worst villains of the Vampire Diaries universe (from the Michaelsons to Kai to literal Satan), Elena's main character syndrome, Vampire genre debates of Twilight v TVD, and we flesh out our TVD spin-off 'Bennett Bloodlines'© (all rights reserved). 

In honour of Halloween, Bubz and Bob (with a little help from their friends) go down the dark and twisty path of the 2010s vampire craze with a review of THE Vampire Diaries. On this episode we discuss: the book(s) that started it all, Bonnie Bennett the magical plot device, the spin-offs we wanted vs the ones we got, and battle lines are drawn between Team Stefan and Team Damon. You can join the conversation by telling us whose team you're on in our Spotify poll down below. 

This week we review Netflix's most watched TV show ever- with 111 million views- Squid Game! On this episode we talk: dubbing vs subtitles, Korean culture & honorifics, why Gi-hun is trash, and of course the games that would've killed us.  Enjoy the episode and if you're listening on Spotify don't forget to answer our Squid Game question and poll on the app. 

**Trigger Warning- from 35:37 to 47:35 we discuss Anna's rape. And suicide is mentioned from 13:46 to 15:71**

And we're back with the second half of our Downton review. This time we focus on some key supporting characters. We analyse Anna's character development (or lack thereof!), Thomas' life as a closeted gay man in 1900s Yorkshire, Ethel's OnlyFans, and the random casual racism sprinkled into season 4 because... why not?

On this week's episode we review the 2010- 2015 British period drama, Downton Abbey. We critique Lord Julian Fellowes' erratic storytelling, assess Mary and Edith's sibling rivalry, and discuss Mary's questionable love life and strange bed fellow (Mr. Pamuk). We also dive into Tom Branson's ascension "upstairs", and his transformation from a socialist radical to bougie bougie bourgeoisie.