Scene N Nerd returns with a raw, unfiltered breakdown of Supergirl, and we're not holding back. Sarah and Will went in ready to love this and came out feeling one thing: disappointment.

This wasn't just a misfire. You can feel a disconnect in every frame. The script was watered down. The source material was gutted. Milly Alcock and the cast deserved better. Jason Momoa's Lobo just looked like… Jason Momoa in makeup.

We break down where it all went wrong, and whether James Gunn's DCU can course-correct from here.

Want to keep the conversation going? Hit us up on X (formerly Twitter) @SceneNNerd, Bluesky @SceneNNerd.bsky.social, Facebook, Instagram @scene_n_nerd, and Threads @scene_n_nerd. Don't forget to check out our website at www.scenennerdpodcast.com. If you enjoyed this episode, drop us a rating and a shout-out on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcast fix!

Sarah and Will break down House of the Dragon S3E2, "Queen's Landing," and one scene has Will literally jumping out of his chair.

This episode is about grief and consequence. Rhaenyra's bloody march to the Iron Throne is not a triumph; it's a horror. We unpack every moment: Jace's body returned to Dragonstone, Daemon's calculating return from Harrenhal, Alicent's devastating encounter with Sir Jasper, and the iconic image of bloody footsteps leading to the throne.

Want to keep the conversation going? Hit us up on X (formerly Twitter) @SceneNNerd, Bluesky @SceneNNerd.bsky.social, Facebook, Instagram @scene_n_nerd, and Threads @scene_n_nerd. Don't forget to check out our website at www.scenennerdpodcast.com. If you enjoyed this episode, drop us a rating and a shout-out on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcast fix!

Anson Mount is returning as Batman in the animated Knightfall trilogy — and Strange New Worlds Season 4 just dropped its trailer. Plus: new Trek merch you'll actually want to own.

Welcome back to Blerd Trek: Last Week in Star Trek for the week ending June 27, 2026.

This week, the boundary between Starfleet and Gotham got a whole lot thinner. Anson Mount (Captain Pike) is reprising his role as the Dark Knight in Batman: Knightfall Part 1, an animated trilogy adapting one of the most iconic Batman stories ever told. We break down what Mount brings to Bruce Wayne — and the surprising history of Star Trek actors voicing Batman (looking at you, Bruce Greenwood).

Then we dive into the Strange New Worlds Season 4 trailer and what it means that Paul Wesley's Kirk is front and center. Are we inching closer to the Original Series timeline — and could Year One actually happen?

Plus: a merch roundup featuring the Loungefly Star Trek Tri-Quarter Glow Crossbody Bag, the ultra-limited Hallmark Shuttlecraft Einstein ornament from The Doomsday Machine (only 5,000 units), and Factory Entertainment's gold-pressed latinum bars, Kataan necklace from The Inner Light, and the laser cannon replica from The Cage.

🖖 CHAPTERS: 0:00 — Intro & Anson Mount's Batman return 0:43 — Mount's history as the Dark Knight (Injustice 2021) 1:14 — Why Knightfall is the perfect Batman story for Pike 1:58 — Star Trek actors who voiced Batman (Bruce Greenwood) 2:42 — SNW Season 4 trailer: Kirk, Spock & episodic Trek 3:44 — Ethan Peck & Paul Wesley waiting for Year One 4:34 — Loungefly Tri-Quarter Glow Crossbody Bag ($65) 5:18 — Hallmark Shuttlecraft Einstein Ornament (5,000 units, $45) 6:31 — Gold-Pressed Latinum Bars (Factory Entertainment) 6:51 — Kaatan Necklace from "The Inner Light" ($69.99) 7:10 — Laser Cannon Replica from "The Cage" ($99.99) 7:45 — Outro & what's coming next

Welcome back to Westeros! In this thrilling episode of Scene N Nerd, Sarah and Will dive into the highly anticipated Season 3 premiere of House of the Dragon, titled "Salt and Sea Fire." After a two-year hiatus, the duo reflects on the show's return and the evolving dynamics of the Targaryens as they navigate the treacherous waters of power, loyalty, and family drama.

⚔️ Team Green vs. Team Black

The episode kicks off with a deep dive into the factions at play, as Rhaenyra positions herself to reclaim her birthright while Alicent grapples with the consequences of her choices. The tension escalates as Aemond faces his fears, and the complexities of Targaryen relationships come to light in unexpected ways.

🔥 Battle of the Gullet As the battle unfolds, the stakes rise dramatically. Sarah and Will analyze the strategic maneuvers of Corlys and Lothar, the emotional weight of Jace's fate, and the chaotic introduction of new characters like Rhaena and her dragon, Sheep Stealer. The duo discusses how the episode expertly balances epic battles with intimate moments, showcasing the intricacies of each character's motivations.

💔 Rhaenyra's Struggles

Rhaenyra's fierce determination to prove her worth as a leader is palpable, and the hosts delve into her powerful confrontation with Jace and the heartbreaking consequences that follow. The emotional depth of her character is explored as she grapples with the duality of motherhood and ambition.

🕰️ **A Strong Start** As they wrap up their discussion, Sarah and Will reflect on how this premiere sets the stage for the rest of the season, emphasizing the show's ability to maintain its rich storytelling despite the lengthy break. With a mix of nostalgia and excitement, they anticipate what lies ahead for the Targaryens.

⏱️ TIMESTAMPS

0:00 Welcome

4:19 Team Green storylines

19:00 Team Black storylines

42:00 Battle of the Gullet

Want to keep the conversation going? Hit us up on X (formerly Twitter) @SceneNNerd, Bluesky @SceneNNerd.bsky.social, Facebook, Instagram @scene_n_nerd, and Threads @scene_n_nerd. Don't forget to check out our website at www.scenennerdpodcast.com. If you enjoyed this episode, drop us a rating and a shout-out on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcast fix!

Spider-Noir gets DARK in Episodes 5-8 — and we are HERE for it. 🕷️

The dynamic duo breaks down the second half of Season 1: Ben Reilly's disturbing origin story is finally revealed, Cat's brutal betrayal, the body horror of Episode 6, Nic Cage fully unleashed, and one of the best bar fight sequences we've seen on TV this year.

⚠️ FULL SPOILERS for Spider-Noir S1 Episodes 5-8

📌 Topics Covered: → Ep 5 – Ben Reilly's true origin (it's not a radioactive spider) → Ep 6 – The torture sequence & failed experiments (body horror WARNING) → Ep 7 – Ben's anti-hero turn: "No power, no responsibility." → Ep 8 – Cat kills Silvermane + the iconic half-mask finale

Nicolas Cage commits to this role in a way that makes the whole engine of the show go. Plus: racial commentary done RIGHT, the Spider-Verse DNA running through the aesthetic, and why watching this in black & white hits different.

Timestamps

0:00 – Cold Open / First Impressions

1:45 – Episode 5: Ben Reilly's Origin Revealed (The POW Camp Truth)

7:30 – "Cat Betrays Ben" — Breaking Down the Moment

13:00 – Episode 6: The Body Horror Is REAL (Ogden & Faber's Lab)

20:15 – Nic Cage Fully Unleashed, Performance Breakdown

26:00 – Episode 7: Ben's Anti-Hero Turn & the Bar Fight 🏆

33:45 – "No Power, No Responsibility" — What Ben's Arc Actually Means

39:00 – Episode 8: Robbie Steals the Show (The Impersonation Scene)

44:30 – Cat Kills Silvermane — Noir Cinema Done Right

50:00 – Final Fight: Sand Witch, Glass Arm, and the Torn Mask

56:00 – Season Wrap-Up: Ratings, Season 2 Hopes, Final Verdict

Want to keep the conversation going? Hit us up on X (formerly Twitter) @SceneNNerd, Bluesky @SceneNNerd.bsky.social, Facebook, Instagram @scene_n_nerd, and Threads @scene_n_nerd. Don't forget to check out our website at www.scenennerdpodcast.com. If you enjoyed this episode, drop us a rating and a shout-out on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcast fix!

This week on Scene N Nerd, Sarah and Will dive deep into the latest episodes of Spider Noir, tackling episodes two through four. As the plot thickens, they explore whether the show maintains its initial charm or if the web is starting to unravel. With the introduction of new characters like Cat Hardy and Tombstone, the stakes rise as Ben Reilly navigates through a complex web of mystery, history, and 1930s societal issues.

🕷️ EPISODE 2 — TREAD LIGHTLY The duo discusses the grounded storytelling that highlights the realities of a segregated America while Ben evolves into a true private investigator. They analyze key moments, including Robbie's encounter with Vera, and how the show integrates real historical context into its narrative.

⚔️ EPISODE 3 — DOUBLE CROSS As Ben's detective skills sharpen, Sarah and Will delve into the dynamics of the burgeoning conflict with Silvermane and the implications of Robbie's journalistic integrity. The duo reflects on the show's ability to weave familiar Spider-Man lore into its unique narrative while maintaining a strong visual aesthetic.

💔 EPISODE 4 — A MISTAKE I'LL NEVER MAKE AGAIN The conversation heats up as they dissect the controversial romantic developments between Cat and Ben, questioning the pacing and depth of their connection. They also touch on Robbie's journalistic struggles and the ethical dilemmas presented in the face of sensationalism versus truth.

As they wrap up their discussion, Will and Sarah tease the upcoming second half of the season and speculate on the future of these characters and their intertwining fates.

Timestamps

00:00 Intro / Opening Thoughts 02:07 Spider-Noir Episode 2 Discussion 17:50 Spider-Noir Episode 3 Discussion 36:43 Spider-Noir Episode 4 Discussion

Want to keep the conversation going? Hit us up on X (formerly Twitter) @SceneNNerd, Bluesky @SceneNNerd.bsky.social, Facebook, Instagram @scene_n_nerd, and Threads @scene_n_nerd. Don't forget to check out our website at www.scenennerdpodcast.com. If you enjoyed this episode, drop us a rating and a shout-out on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcast fix!

This week on Scene N Nerd Presents Blerd Trek, Will checks in on the latest Star Trek: Strange New Worlds Season 4 news as we get closer to the July 23 premiere. The producers are teasing a return to more classic, character-driven Trek storytelling, no season-long "big bad," more focus on Kirk and Spock, plus La'an and Ortegas — and yes, the puppet episode is still happening. We also discuss the William Shatner alternate Kirk story that almost happened but never came together.

Want to keep the conversation going? Hit us up on X (formerly Twitter) @SceneNNerd, Bluesky @SceneNNerd.bsky.social, Facebook, Instagram @scene_n_nerd, and Threads @scene_n_nerd. Don't forget to check out our website at www.scenennerdpodcast.com. If you enjoyed this episode, drop us a rating and a shout-out on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcast fix!

Nicolas Cage is BACK in the Noir and we're already hooked. Sarah and Will break down Spider-Noir Episode 1 "Step My Office," Marvel's live-action series starring Nicolas Cage as Ben Reilly, a 1930s Spider-Man navigating Depression-era New York crime noir. Then we flip to a galaxy far, far away: the Mandalorian and Grogu movie just hit theaters. Epic Star Wars adventure, or just a long Mandalorian episode in a tuxedo? Plus a quick X-Men 97 Season 2 trailer reaction.

🕷️ SPIDER-NOIR S1E1: BEN REILLY IS NOT PETER PARKER Five years ago, Ben Reilly (Nicolas Cage) put away the mask after losing his fiancée, Ruby. But Depression-era New York has other plans. We break down the femme fatale setup, Flint Marco's emergence as Sandman, the broken Spider-Sense wrinkle, and what the show's interweaving mysteries signal for the rest of Season 1. One fresh take: the quote at the top "Am I an extraordinary man? Am I an ordinary man? I'm both, neither, aren't we all?" is the whole thesis of Ben Reilly in one breath.

⭐ THE MANDALORIAN & GROGU MOVIE FUN BUT... Din Djarin and Grogu on the big screen. Sigourney Weaver, Jeremy Allen White, a Martin Scorsese cameo, and Grogu puppetry that WORKS. We debate the arena fight tropes, the water snake editing gaffe, the legacy-and-fathers-and-sons themes that stay surface-level, and whether this franchise still has anywhere new to take Mando's story.

🎬 X-MEN 97 SEASON 2 TRAILER REACTION We may or may not be bumping Invincible. (Blame Will.)

Scene N Nerd is a pop culture podcast covering sci-fi, Marvel, DC, and genre TV through a hardcore fan and a casual viewer, always real.

⏱️ TIMESTAMPS: 0:00 Intro: The Summer of Marvel 0:33 X-Men 97 Season 2 trailer first take 2:00 Spider-Noir S1E1 "Step My Office" review begins 2:22 Black & White vs. Color: which version should you watch? 5:14 Sarah's first impressions of Episode 1 7:14 Ben Reilly's origin: Ruby, the mask, and the grief 8:22 Flint Marco / Sandman enters the story 9:00 Ben Reilly vs. Peter Parker: who IS Spider-Man Noir here? 10:22 Cat Hardy, femme fatale, and the mysteries being set up 12:46 —Addison, Donegal, and the web of intrigue 15:27 Ben's broken Spider-Sense explained 17:00 Sarah's final verdict on Episode 1 21:47 Sarah's sidebar: Off Campus on Amazon 27:19 Mandalorian & Grogu movie full review begins 29:35 "It's Star Wars made for kids" Sarah's take 33:28 CGI vs. practical effects debate 35:00 The water snake sequence: the editing problem 38:37 The writing decline of The Mandalorian 41:00 Grogu + Rotta the Hutt moments 44:28 Sigourney Weaver: From Ripley to Star Wars 46:47 Outro / Where to find us

Want to keep the conversation going? Hit us up on X (formerly Twitter) @SceneNNerd, Bluesky @SceneNNerd.bsky.social, Facebook, Instagram @scene_n_nerd, and Threads @scene_n_nerd. Don't forget to check out our website at www.scenennerdpodcast.com. If you enjoyed this episode, drop us a rating and a shout-out on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcast fix!

The Boys is DONE. After 5 seasons, Homelander vs. Butcher finally reaches its end, but did the series finale actually stick the landing? Plus, Punisher: One Last Kill dropped, and Frank Castle is back in a big way.

Sarah and Will break down the Boys Series Finale scene by scene, the wins, the misses, and whether the ending delivered on the show's promises. Then we pivot to Punisher: One Last Kill for reactions and thoughts on where this chapter takes Frank Castle.

Timestamps

0:00 Intro and quick thoughts on Michael

4:50 The Boys Series Finale

37:30 The Punisher: One Last Kill

We explore: 🥳 The emotional weight of Frenchie's funeral and its impact on the group ⚔️ Sister Sage's surprising arc and her pivotal role in the finale 🎭 The climactic showdown in the Oval Office and the character dynamics at play 💔 Butcher's heartbreaking end and the moral complexities surrounding his choices 🐶 Frank Castle's return in the Punisher special presentation and its implications for his character 🎬 The evolution of The Boys and its commentary on society and media

Whether you're a die-hard fan of The Boys or just catching up, this episode is packed with insights and reflections that will resonate with anyone who has followed this groundbreaking series.

Want to keep the conversation going? Hit us up on X (formerly Twitter) @SceneNNerd, Bluesky @SceneNNerd.bsky.social, Facebook, Instagram @scene_n_nerd, and Threads @scene_n_nerd. Don't forget to check out our website at www.scenennerdpodcast.com. If you enjoyed this episode, drop us a rating and a shout-out on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcast fix!

She had a Harvard PhD and a career in science. Then she walked away to direct Star Trek. The twist? She'd never even watched it.

Dr. Valerie Weiss joins Scene N Nerd to share the real story behind her career pivot from academics to Hollywood, how her scientific training became her secret weapon on set, and why sometimes the most logical decision is the one that makes no sense at all.

We dig into: 🔬 Why she left academia — and what she'd tell anyone weighing the same leap 🎬 How a scientist's brain approaches directing (her script "radar" is next-level) ⚔️ Directing the emotional fight scene in Outer Banks 🚀 The moment she realized she'd be directing Star Trek — without having seen a single episode 🌱 Her work on the DGA Sustainable Future Committee and making Hollywood greener 📺 Details on her new Amazon Prime dramedy It's Not Like That (premieres May 15!)

Whether you're a Trek fan, a career-changer, or just love a good "how did they pull that off?" story — this one's for you.

⏱️ CHAPTERS 0:00 — From Harvard PhD to Hollywood Director 1:10 — The Decision to Walk Away from Academics 3:30 — Science Skills That Made Her a Better Director 6:40 — Career Change Is a Chapter, Not a Switch 10:00 — How She Analyzes Scripts Like a Scientist 15:15 — Her Directing Process: Feel the Scene First 18:50 — Why Emotional Truth Beats Technical Perfection 21:10 — Directing the JJ vs. Dad Fight in Outer Banks 23:30 — What a TV Director Actually Does 27:30 — Linear TV vs. Streaming: What's Changing 30:40 — Shorter Seasons, Bigger Stakes 33:20 — It's Not Like That (Amazon Prime — May 15!) 39:50 — Sustainable & Green Filmmaking 45:10 — Women in Film & Industry Contraction 47:40 — Why Mentorship Matters 49:10 — Her First Day Directing Star Trek 51:00 — The Pressure of Directing a Franchise 55:00 — Star Trek's Vision of Leadership & Humanity 56:20 — What She'd Do If She Wasn't Directing 57:20 — Where to Watch It's Not Like That & More

Follow Dr. Weiss: https://www.instagram.com/valerie.weiss.director and IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1401177/

Kids Mental Health Foundation: https://www.kidsmentalhealthfoundation.org/

Sustainability: https://scriptation.com/blog/tag/valerie-weiss/ and Earth Angel: https://www.earthangelsets.com/blog/dr-valerie-weiss

Want to keep the conversation going? Hit us up on X (formerly Twitter) @SceneNNerd, Bluesky @SceneNNerd.bsky.social, Facebook, Instagram @scene_n_nerd, and Threads @scene_n_nerd. Don't forget to check out our website at www.scenennerdpodcast.com. If you enjoyed this episode, drop us a rating and a shout-out on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcast fix!