Timestamps:

The Gray Man (12:00)

Nope (28:00)

Black Bird (38:00)

First, I have to announce the the imminent return of Bluey for a third season (a big event at my house). Then I discuss the Russo Brothers $200 million production, The Gray Man from Netflix with Celia. We also get into some more Nope spoilers. 

Lastly, I break down the latest episode of Black Bird on AppleTV+. Next week Celia and I will be back to discuss the finale as well as the truth and fiction of this "based on a true story" story.

Gene Takovik episodes are not as exciting as Saul Goodman episodes (or Jimmy McGill episodes, for that matter) but maybe that is the point. 

Plus, many digressions on the value (or lack thereof) of the delicious smelling Cinnabon. 

A brief spoiler free Nope review followed by a full critique of the disastrous first season of The Old Man. Then we discuss the far more successful AppleTV+ series, Black Bird which hits its stride this week with a particularly strong episode. 

Then, I have a spoiler filled analysis if Peele's film and it many themes (maybe too many??).

Timestamps:

Nope (spoilers? NOPE!) - 5:00

The Old Man - 19:00

Black Bird - 44:00

Nope (spoilers? YEP!) - 55:00

Another very strong episode in this final stretch. We probably now know Kim's fate and we get to see Gustavo at his most unguarded. 

We also briefly discuss the very entertaining recent episodes of Only Murders in the Building and the musical daisy chain continues.

Time Stamps:

Better Call Saul: 6:00

The Boys: 19:00

Stranger Things: 23:00

Ms Marvel: 26:00

Thor Love and Thunder: 30:30

Dr Strange in the Multiverse of Madness: 39:30

The Old Man: 55:00

It's a free ranging conversation this week. We end up spoiling the new Thor movie as well as the first season of Ms Marvel. Plus we wander into the finale of Stranger Things and even spoil Dr Strange 2 and the latest Spiderman movie. 

Then Celia and I discuss the fourth and fifth episodes of the Old Man, a show that has squandered all the initial good will that we felt for it.

Lastly, we discuss the Anthony Bourdain documentary, Roadrunner.

https://www.vulture.com/2021/07/the-15-best-episodes-of-anthony-bourdains-parts-unknown.html

Sona and I discuss this very eventful episode of TV. We say goodbye to one of the greatest characters on this show (and maybe EVER). 

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I don't get what I was hoping for in this season finale but there are some tantalizing threads left dangling as season 4 options. It does often feel like the show continuously reverts to status quo. 

Plus I have seen the latest Thor and I have opinions. I did enjoy the film in the moment but there was too much comedy and MCU bridge building and too little time developing the actual characters within the movie. This may be the consistent weakness of these phase 4 films.

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Sona and I discuss the funny (and surprisingly poignant) reclamation of Bunny Folger as Only Murders in the Building gives her her dignity in presenting her final hours. 

Then Celia and I discuss The Bear, a very interesting and well executed workplace dramedy that happens to take place in a Chicago deli. This is a show that I would have quit on if it hadn't been for the ability to binge its short run. But in the end it comes together perfectly, like a dish with too many ingredients that shouldn't work... and then somehow, does.

Lots of set up this week... and a few surprises, too.   We are still headed for a battle royale, next week but the configurations of the participants looks to be significantly different. 

Charles, Mabel and Oliver are back trying to solve Bunny's death. Sona and I are both so surprised to discover the affection we have for these characters. These first 2 episodes are like a warm cup of cocoa. 

Then Celia and I discuss episode 3 of The Old Man. It is a step down from the previous 2 episodes but still high quality.