Scene N Nerd

In this episode of Scene N Nerd, Sarah and Will dive deep into the much-anticipated Spider-Man: Brand New Day. They share their thoughts on Tom Holland's evolution as Spider-Man, reflecting on how we've witnessed his journey from a teenager to a young adult grappling with the implications of his identity after the events of No Way Home.

The duo discusses Zendaya's significant character development in this film, emphasizing her expanded role compared to previous installments. They also touch on the dynamic between Tom Holland and Jon Bernthal, noting the delightful comedic chemistry that adds a new layer to Frank Castle's character.

Listeners can expect an insightful exploration of the film's themes of grief and loss, as Peter Parker navigates his relationships and the weight of his responsibilities. They analyze the film's approach to the Rogues Gallery and how it balances intimate character moments with larger comic book action, culminating in a well-structured narrative that resonates on both personal and heroic levels.

The episode also hints at future developments in the Spider-Verse, speculating on potential sequels and character arcs, particularly for Jean Grey and her connection to Peter.

Timestamps:

0:00 — Introduction to Spider-Man: Brand New Day 1:30 — Tom Holland's growth as Spider-Man 5:00 — Zendaya's expanded role 10:00 — Chemistry between Tom Holland and Jon Bernthal 15:00 — Themes of grief and loss 20:00 — The Rogues Gallery and character dynamics 25:00 — Speculations on future Spider-Verse films 30:00 — Closing thoughts and wrap-up

Follow Sarah on social media at @sjbelmont and Will at @willmpolk.

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Greetings, Nerds! Sarah and Will break down House of the Dragon Season 3, Episode 7, "The Dragon in Winter" — and this episode gives us three huge storylines to dig into.

First, the dragon fight. Rhaena is finally cornered by Daemon, Rhaenyra, and Addam on Sheepstealer, and we talk through why watching these dragons tear into each other hit so hard — Daemon's rare moment of vulnerability with his daughter, the size disadvantage that becomes brutally clear once the fighting starts, and what it means for Rhaenyra to learn the truth about who's been under that helmet all along.

Then we head to Harrenhal for Alicent and Aemond's twisted reunion. We break down how Alicent slipped past Alys Rivers to get there, the deeply uncomfortable dinner scene, and the poisoned berries that follow — plus the big debate of the episode: did Aemond know his mother was poisoning him? We lay out the case for and against, from his "I tried to kill my brother too" confession right before drinking it, to Alys's suspicious "idiot" line that has us convinced she already has a cure ready.

Finally, we close on the best scene of the season: Aegon's rally cry as Sunfyre rises from the trees. We talk through why this payoff works so well.

Timestamps: 0:00 — Cold Open: "Sunfyre said let them meet fire" 1:30 — The Sheepstealer Dragon Battle 6:00 — Rhaenyra Arrives & Dragon Loyalty 10:00 — Daemon's Guilt & Mommy Issues 14:00 — Corlys Captured — "Get my wife's name out your mouth" 19:00 — Aegon's Rally & Sunfyre Rises 24:00 — Allison Poisons Aemond 30:00 — Helena's Dreams & Winter Is Coming 35:00 — Rhaenyra's Hardening Rule 39:00 — Team Aegon Now?

Follow Sarah on social media at @sjbelmont and Will at @willmpolk.

Follow Scene N Nerd on X, Blue Sky, Facebook, Instagram, and Threads, and visit SceneNNerdPodcast.com.

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Daeron isn't just being raised by Ormund Hightower — he's being molded into one. On this episode of Scene N Nerd, Sarah and Will break down HOTD 3x06 ("Faceless Men") from the shocking cold open all the way through the Harrenhal seduction, and there's a lot to get through. We open with Ser Criston Cole's genuinely unceremonious death — ambushed by the "dead" river lords in a moment that plays almost like a Robb Stark callback — before digging into the episode's real gut-punch: Daeron's cousin Ormund grooming him into a puppet king while teaching him to see his own Targaryen blood as the "tainted" half of who he is. We also get his actual uncle, Gwayne, showing up as a completely different kind of family — and a much-needed reality check for both of them.

Timestamps:

00:00 – Intro 01:49 – Cold open: Ser Criston Cole's unceremonious death 07:43 – Ormund & Daeron: the abuse subtext nobody's talking about 10:14 – Molding Daeron into the "puppet king" 11:02 – Hightower cousins: the friction behind the throne 12:31 – Does Daeron actually know he's being played? 13:24 – "Closest and farthest thing from a Targaryen" 14:39 – The assassins, the "stink" payoff, and Gwayne's hero moment 18:07 – Corlys, Alyn, and the fight over the Velaryon name 21:45 – Baela, Addam, and the "very dutiful" line 25:12 – Aegon & Larys: a villain with humor, finally hearing the truth 27:48 – Team Alicent: caught, punished, and the pregnancy reveal 29:48 – Helena's visions pay off — Aemond found at Harrenhal 34:33 – Team "Cursed": Alys Rivers, dragon eggs, and Harrenhal's history 37:25 – Hugh's disguised visit to his wife in Tumbleton 39:45 – Alyn, Hugh, and Team Black's shaky dragonriders 41:48 – Rhaenyra, the throne, and the self-inflicted theme 43:53 – Daemon's indigestion joke and his impulsive streak in King's Landing 45:37 – Closing out: the Valyrian bloodline and the family tree jokes.

Follow Sarah on social media at @sjbelmont and Will at @willmpolk.

Follow Scene N Nerd on X, Blue Sky, Facebook, Instagram, and Threads, and visit SceneNNerdPodcast.com.

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The war is no longer being fought with dragons alone.

Sarah and Will break down House of the Dragon Season 3, Episode 5, "Unbowed and Unbent," as unrest spreads through King's Landing and every side begins using manipulation, insurgency, religion, money, and guerrilla warfare to gain an advantage.

They discuss Ormund Hightower's campaign to undermine Rhaenyra, the violent attacks against the Gold Cloaks, and Daemon's growing frustration with how the city is being governed. They also examine Rhaenyra and Daemon's conflicting ideas about power, legitimacy, faith, and what it truly means to rule as a Targaryen.

Elsewhere, Alicent attempts to protect Helaena and her unborn child, Mysaria finds herself caught between competing loyalties, and the damaged relationship between Aegon and Aemond reveals how deeply their childhood resentment continues to shape the war.

Sarah and Will also explore Ormund's influence over Daeron, Criston Cole's brutal campaign through the Riverlands, Oscar Tully's military tactics, and how the nobles and common people of Westeros are being sacrificed for a conflict built around one family's bloodline.

Then, the conversation shifts to the final season of The Bear. Sarah and Will share their thoughts on the season's one-day structure, Carmy's conclusion, Sydney and Tina's expanded roles, and why Episode 7, "Caramel," feels like a spiritual successor to the fan-favorite episode "Forks."

They also discuss the series finale, the growth of Richie and the restaurant staff, the moments that worked—and one particular job interview that did not—before ranking all five seasons of the acclaimed series.

Topics include:

• The Gold Cloak murders and unrest in King's Landing • Ormund Hightower's strategy and support for Daeron • Rhaenyra and Daemon's battle over power and legitimacy • The role of faith, culture, and public favor in Westeros • Alicent, Helaena, Mysaria, and the unborn child • Aegon and Aemond's lifelong sibling rivalry • Criston Cole's legacy and the Riverlands guerrilla campaign • The Bear series finale and final-season reactions • Why "Caramel" continues the character growth of "Forks" • Sarah and Will's complete ranking of The Bear

We discuss House of the Dragon strictly from the perspective of television viewers who have not read the source material.

Timestamps

0:00 Welcome

0:30 House of the Dragon Season 3 Episode 5 "Unbowed and Unbent"

53:14 The Bear - Season Five

1:08:00 Outro

Follow Sarah on social media at @sjbelmont and Will at @willmpolk.

Follow Scene N Nerd on X, Bluesky, Facebook, Instagram, and Threads, and visit SceneNNerdPodcast.com.

Rate, follow, and leave a comment on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you listen to podcasts.

Spoilers ahead for X-Men '97 Season 2, Episodes 3 and 4: "Rise of Apocalypse."

Is Magneto really gone? Sarah and Will break down the latest X-Men '97 episodes, including Apocalypse's tragic origin, the Genosha connection, Magneto and Xavier's philosophical conflict, and the growing consequences of time travel.

We also discuss the Kang connection, Rama-Tut, the ethics of changing history, and the emotional fallout of En Sabah Nur's past. Plus, we react to the post-credits scene involving Wolverine, Captain America, Black Widow, and the Weapon X dossier.

Was Magneto's fate meant to be permanent, or is Marvel setting up his return? And what does the Weapon X reveal mean for the rest of the season?

Timestamps:

00:00 Introduction 00:19 Initial thoughts on "Rise of Apocalypse" 01:25 Magneto and Xavier's debate 03:05 The Genosha connection 04:22 Magneto's apparent fate 05:20 The Kang connection 06:45 The ethics of time travel 09:10 Apocalypse's tragic backstory 10:21 The Wolverine and Weapon X post-credits scene 11:41 What's next for Scene N Nerd

Summer House just scored its FIRST Emmy nomination, but was it for the show, or for the Amanda Batula scandal that broke the internet? Sarah breaks down why Bravo only seems to get awards attention when the drama hits DEFCON 1, draws the direct line to Vanderpump Rules' Sandoval moment, and asks the uncomfortable question: Does reality TV need a villain to be seen as "prestige"?

Join Sarah and Will as they uncover the intricate layers of House of the Dragon Season 3, Episode 4, "Tumbleton." This episode thrusts Rhaenyra into a precarious position as Ormund's invasion forces her to navigate the treacherous waters of power and legitimacy. The duo delves into the complex dynamics of the Small Council, highlighting the pivotal role of Grandmaester Orwyle, who emerges as an unexpected MVP in Rhaenyra's court.

As they explore the themes of manipulation and allegiance, Sarah and Will dissect the compelling conversations between Rhaenyra and Orwyle, revealing the deep-rooted connections between the Hightowers and the faith, as well as the implications of Viserys's choices regarding dragons. With a keen eye on the evolving relationships, they analyze the duality of Ormund's character and his influence over Daeron, questioning whether his guidance is nurturing or abusive.

With the episode rich in political intrigue and emotional depth, the hosts reflect on Rhaenyra's struggle for legitimacy in a realm filled with dissent and familial tensions. They also touch upon the ramifications of leadership choices, the weight of legacy, and the ever-present question of power dynamics in Westeros.

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!

James T. Kirk is one of Starfleet's greatest captains, but what was he like as a (spoiler)? Star Trek: Strange New Worlds Season 4 is about to explore a chapter of Kirk's life that's never been shown on screen before. In this edition of Last Week in Star Trek, Will breaks down the major Strange New Worlds reveal, what it means for Kirk's character, and how the showrunners plan to add to the story without rewriting canon. Plus, details on the upcoming Star Trek Universe panel at San Diego Comic-Con on July 25th, kicking off the franchise's 60th anniversary celebration. Are you excited about this unexplored side of Kirk?

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Timestamps:

0:00 The Big Strange New Worlds Reveal

3:00 Kirk's Untold Story & What It Could Mean

5:20 San Diego Comic Con Hall H Star Trek Panel Breakdown

Join Sarah and Will as they dive into the thrilling world of X-Men 97 Season 2, discussing Episodes 1 and 2: "Days of Future Past Part One" and "A Force to be Reckoned With." They explore the rich storytelling that picks up seamlessly from Season 1, focusing on the emotional arcs of Cyclops, Jean Grey, and the introduction of Cable.

In this episode, the duo delves into themes of destiny, family ties, and the weight of time travel as they analyze the character dynamics and intense moments that unfold. While Episode 1 captivates with its strong narrative, Episode 2 shifts focus, leaving Sarah less engaged, particularly with Jubilee's storyline.

As they dissect the action-packed sequences and the moral dilemmas the characters face, Sarah and Will set the stage for the next episodes, highlighting how the series respects its audience while evolving the narrative for a new generation.

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!

Dive deep with Sarah and Will as they dissect House of the Dragon Season 3, Episode 3, "Rhaenyra Triumphant." This episode sees Rhaenyra grappling with the heavy crown of leadership, facing unexpected challenges in King's Landing while trying to appease her supporters and consolidate her power.

From the cold open to the tension-filled banquet, the duo explores Rhaenyra's internal struggles and the Red Keep's dark atmosphere. They discuss the implications of her decisions, the dynamics between her and Daemon, and the precarious balance of power as she confronts the ghosts of her past.

With themes of grief, betrayal, and the complexities of ruling, this episode offers a rich tapestry of character development and political intrigue. Will Rhaenyra's choices lead to her downfall, or can she navigate the treacherous waters of her family's legacy?

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!