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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.

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We get the initial superpowered fistfight between Homelander, Butcher and Soldier Boy... with a little assist from Hughie. Starlight takes to Instagram to expose the chaos that the supes and Vought actually create. Plus lots of weird superpowered sex.

Then, Ray and I discuss the season of Obi Wan Kenobi. He sees all the shortcomings but appreciates the nostalgia. I needed more.

Obi Wan Kenobi unfortunately had few tricks up his robe to course correct this mediocre season of TV (and if you are not a Star Wars fan, this is a complete waste of time). 

On the positive side, I got blindsided by how good the new Jeff Bridges show, The Old Man is. I don't know if the entire show will maintain this quality but as someone who normally bristles at the conventions of a pilot episode, these first two episodes are really stellar.

Plus, I recommend Slow Horses again (AppleTV+).

We get a solid episode of The Boys (despite its ridiculous title). Forces are lining up against Homelander. I really do hope he gets some kind of comeuppance this season. Plus I give a pretty decent review of the latest episode of Obi-Wan Kenobi (surprising even myself).  And I briefly review Spiderhead on Netflix and include a list of essential episodes of Love Death and Robots, also from Netflix.

Escape from Spiderhead by George Saunders:

https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2010/12/20/escape-from-spiderhead

Barry ends season 3 with a completely unexpected finale (at least by me). Where can they possibly go in season 4? 

Plus I recommend Danny Boyle's Sex Pistols docudrama "Pistol"

The Boys puts out an interesting episode this week; a good balance of humor and horror. I am curious to see where this is headed in the second half.

Then Nick joins me to discuss what is going on in the Star Wars universe. He is more optimistic than I am (but still pretty negative). 

Plus, we both really enjoyed the premier of Ms Marvel and I recommend an incredibly innovative micro-budget time travel movie available on Amazon Prime, right now...

Obi Wan Kenobi gets worse and worse. The Shining Girls wraps up its first season and I did like it (although I am not sure I understand it). Plus we talk more Barry and I recommend Hulu/FX's Reservation Dogs once again, in preparation for the upcoming second season.