Vegas, Baby! Peter Fenzel, Mark Lee, and Matthew Wrather discuss Las Vegas, gambling, the lottery, loot boxes, identity, and the decoupling of incentive structures from narrative structures.

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Episode 497: Look on my Works, Ye Mighty, and Have a Good Time! originally appeared on Overthinking It, the site subjecting the popular culture to a level of scrutiny it probably doesn't deserve. [Latest Posts | Podcast (iTunes Link)]

On the podcast, Peter Fenzel, Mark Lee, and Matt Wrather are joined by special guest Manu Saadia (@trekonomics), author of the speculative economic work Trekonomics, to discuss the first season of Star Trek: Discovery. Stay to the end to hear the shocking conspiracy theory that will change how you see the show!!!

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Episode 496: Michelle Yeoh With A Goatee Is Still Out There originally appeared on Overthinking It, the site subjecting the popular culture to a level of scrutiny it probably doesn't deserve. [Latest Posts | Podcast (iTunes Link)]

Ben Adams, Peter Fenzel, Mark Lee, Richard Rosenbaum, and Matthew Wrather give into their feelings and rip into Star Wars: The Last Jedi which was awesome in parts but, come on, was borderline incoherent. Admit it.

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Episode 495: Star Wars: The Last Jedi – The Dark Side Podcast originally appeared on Overthinking It, the site subjecting the popular culture to a level of scrutiny it probably doesn't deserve. [Latest Posts | Podcast (iTunes Link)]

Ben Adams, Peter Fenzel, Mark Lee, Richard Rosenbaum, and Matthew Wrather investigate Star Wars: The Last Jedi: Who even is the protagonist? How do Luke and Rey transcend their limitations? How does this world continue and revise the Star Wars universe?

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Episode 494: Star Wars: The Last Jedi – The Light Side Podcast originally appeared on Overthinking It, the site subjecting the popular culture to a level of scrutiny it probably doesn't deserve. [Latest Posts | Podcast (iTunes Link)]

Peter Fenzel, Mark Lee, and Matthew Wrather lay out offerings to their ancestors and discuss Pixar’s Coco.

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Episode 493: Coco: The Notebook by Way of Back to the Future originally appeared on Overthinking It, the site subjecting the popular culture to a level of scrutiny it probably doesn't deserve. [Latest Posts | Podcast (iTunes Link)]

Peter Fenzel, Mark Lee, and Jordan Stokes overthink the second half of Stranger Things 2, including its treatments of puberty, psychological trauma, and 80’s pop culture.

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Episode 492: Out of the Town, into the Mind originally appeared on Overthinking It, the site subjecting the popular culture to a level of scrutiny it probably doesn't deserve. [Latest Posts | Podcast (iTunes Link)]

Peter Fenzel and Matthew Wrather inductively prove the existence of Thanksgiving through a consideration of the food and family traditions surrounding the holiday. Pro tip: Brine your turkey.

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That Norman Rockwell painting that makes you feel bad about your family’s crappy Thanksgiving is called “Freedom from Want.”

Episode 491: Tarving the Curkey originally appeared on Overthinking It, the site subjecting the popular culture to a level of scrutiny it probably doesn't deserve. [Latest Posts | Podcast (iTunes Link)]

Peter Fenzel, Mark Lee, and Matt Wrather didn’t not enjoy (aspects of) Justice League, but they find it hard to talk about. Just kidding, they never find it hard to talk.

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Episode 490: Urban Surfer Hipster Bro Dragon Ball Z Longhair Fusion Dance originally appeared on Overthinking It, the site subjecting the popular culture to a level of scrutiny it probably doesn't deserve. [Latest Posts | Podcast (iTunes Link)]

Peter Fenzel and Matthew Wrather mistake late capitalism for late antiquity, as they discuss current events through the lens of a struggle between heresy and orthodoxy, a crisis of authority, and the discursive chaos that results when state or quasi-state actors are derelict in their duties.

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Heresies

The Surprising Revolt at the Most Liberal College in the Country

Babylon 5

Episode 489: 10/10 Would Burn Again originally appeared on Overthinking It, the site subjecting the popular culture to a level of scrutiny it probably doesn't deserve. [Latest Posts | Podcast (iTunes Link)]

Peter Fenzel, Mark Lee, and Matthew Wrather try desperately to prevent the end of the world as they discuss Thor: Ragnarok. The journey takes them through Norse mythology, Thor’s transformation, the Dia de Los Hulkos celebration, and an appreciation of the film’s symbolic richness, no less rich for its humorous and campy elements.

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Not the strongest Avenger. (Click to enlarge.)

Episode 488: Thor: Macklemore originally appeared on Overthinking It, the site subjecting the popular culture to a level of scrutiny it probably doesn't deserve. [Latest Posts | Podcast (iTunes Link)]