ARRRRRRRRR!!!!! We're talking space pirates and X-Files this week on Socially Distanced.

"The Human Star Wars Encyclopedia" Amanda Rivas is joined by Pop Break editor-in-chief Bill Bodkin and Waldo from Face4Wrestling to talk about all things Mando. They deep dive into "The Pirate" to discuss how this episode felt more like a classic Mando episode, the motives of Armorer, the hubris of the New Republic (and that cameo), the return of Carson Teva, a memorable nod to the animated shows, the action sequences, and of course, many, many wrestling references.

In the pre-game segment, they discuss the news that X-Files creator Chris Carter broke that Ryan Coogler (Black Panther, Creed) will be developing a new X-Files series.

Who is The Foundling? Why are so many space creatures attacking the Mandalores? Is Grogu going to wear armor? And just who is Kelleran Beq?

Host Amanda Rivas answers all those questions and more on this week's Socially Distanced Podcast. This week she's joined by a very tired Bill Bodkin (Editor-in-Chief) of ThePopBreak.com, a returning Al Mannarino who is back from the Quantum Realm, and independent professional wrestler "No Comparison" Joe Harrison (get his merch at ProWrestlingTees) to discuss all of this and the many theories that sprung up from The Mandalorian Chapter 20, "The Foundling."

The group pre-games the Mando talk by discussing Shazam: Fury of the Gods disappointing box office, the James Gunn effect on the current crop of DC films, the impact Black Adam had on Shazam's success, and has the rose fallen off the bloom for Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson?

We've hit our 150th episode with a giant-sized annual edition of Socially Distanced! This week we're discussing the controversial and emotional finale of The Last of Us, the negativity surrounding the new season of The Mandalorian, and the show's third episode, the highly divisive installment dubbed 'The Convert.'

Host Amanda Rivas (The Human Star Wars Encyclopedia) is joined by resident guest Alisha Weinberger and Pop Break's editor-in-chief Bill Bodkin to wander into the mind palace one last time to discuss The Last of Us. They talk about the decision to adhere to the ending of the game fairly strictly and how they actually could've improved it by incorporating stories from the second. Alisha gives her wishlist for Season 2 while Bill discussed the vaudevillian way he would put Alisha out of her misery if she was infected by a cordyceps. 

"The Voice of God" Marshall Stevenson of of Blerd Watchers and Blerd Life with My Wife joins Amanda and Bill to talk about a Mando-light episode of The Mandalorian. They discuss the implications of focusing on Dr. Pershing and how this could ultimately lead to a big bad for the series, but just who that big bad is is the big question. They discuss the Mando burnout, as well as the brilliance of Katee Sackoff in the role of Bo Katan.

It's the penultimate episode of our Papa Pedro mini-series! Amanda Rivas hosts the episode as we dive deep into the penultimate episode of The Last of Us and the second entry of The Mandalorian's third season.

Alisha Weinberger and Bill Bodkin join Amanda in the empty Clare's mind palace to discuss the absolutely brutal, emotional and controversial next-to-last episode of TLOU entitled, 'When We Are In Need.' They dive deep into Ellie's survival skills, David's weaponization of religion, the triggering events of the climax of the episode (and HBO's irresponsibility of not warning audiences), and why this episode broke the series' record for viewership.

For The Mandalorian, Amanda is rejoined by Bill Bodkin, Al Mannarino and special guest Rob Williams of The Bob Culture Podcast. They discuss "The Mines of Mandalore" and all its Easter eggs, the future of Bo Katan and Mando, how stinkin' cute Grogu is in the episode and will we be seeing cameos from Sabine and Ahsoka in this season. They also tackle the news of Andor ending after the second season.

Welcome to the "Papa Pedro" Mini-Series of The Socially Distanced Podcast as we're talking all things Pedro Pascal this week. So, in this "giant-sized annual episode" we split the episode in two-parts!

The first part finds Bill Bodkin as host along Amanda Rivas and resident guest Alisha Weinberger discussing The Last of Us Episode 7, 'Left Behind.' Everything from Claire's to mind palaces to the stellar performances from Bella Ramsey and Storm Reid to expectations from video game fans (and a spoiler or two) are talked about. 

The second part of the episode (which starts at 44:00) sees Amanda Rivas hosting her first Socially Distanced ever! She is joined by Bill Bodkin,  Al Mannarino and Ben Murchison to discuss The Mandalorian Season 3 Premiere aka Chapter 17. They discuss their  many issues with the pacing and the organization of the episode, space whales, space gators, cocaine bears, Fabu Fricks, the brilliance of Carl Weathers, Mando crossovers, and the big problem The Book of Boba Fett's inclusion of Mando and how it caused a disconnect with the fanbase.

Finally they talk about Pedro Pascal and if he's on the brink of over-exposure.

While there may be no mushroom daddies this week, we've still got plenty to talk about when it comes to The Last of Us Episode 6 entitled, 'Kin.'

Host Bill Bodkin is rejoined by Amanda Rivas (fresh off a weekend of cosplay and wrestling in Las Vegas) and the #1 commander of our hearts Ben Murchison to discuss this snow-covered episode of HBO's smash hit series. As a programming note, next week begins our "All Pedro Pod" as we'll be discussing both The Last of Us and The Mandalorian.

Before we visit our favorite space daddy next week, Amanda, Ben and Bill discuss Joel's anxiety, the amazing Joel meme, the beauty of Jackson Hole (and what job they would have there), Pedro Pascal's Emmy reel performance, his attitudes towards Tommy, if the series is bordering on misery porn and some of the issues they had with the pacing of the episode as well as the cliffhanger ending.

In the pre-game segment they discuss Disney's decision to space out the releases of new MCU shows and films, the reality of Marvel burnout as seen with Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania and more.

The moral gray and "thicc mushroom daddies" are on tap today for Socially Distanced. Host Bill Bodkin is joined by resident guest Alisha Weinberger and special guest Kelly McGovern to discuss The Last of Us Episode 5, 'Endure and Survive.' 

The episode pre-game has the trio discuss their favorite movie trailers from last Sunday's big game -- Scream VI, Fast X, Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny and Guardians of the Galaxy Volume 3.

The main event of the pod looks at the creative decision to deviate from the game and have Sam be deaf and younger, the morality of Henry and Kathleen, the continuing evolution of Joel and Ellie's relationship, the unbelievable action sequences, the aforementioned thicc mushroom daddies, and is this series bordering on becoming misery porn.

The Last of Us Episode 4 brought Joel and Ellie into a new world of danger, and the Socially Distanced team is here to talk about it all. Al Mannarino, Amanda Rivas and Bill Bodkin are joined by Pop Break staff writer Sam Niles (who writes The Last of Us reviews for the site, and hosted the Marshall's Movies Podcast) to discuss everything that went down in "Please Hold to My Hand." They discuss the deviations from the game (which Sam believes is for the better), the addition of Melanie Lynskey to the cast, the evolving relationship between Joel and Ellie, what is in the basement, and was this episode an emotional and narrative letdown after last week's amazing third episode.

In the pre-game segment the group discusses Pedro Pascal's hosting gig on Saturday Night Live and if his Super Mario digital short is an all-timer, plus they predict who wins the big game this weekend and what trailers they're most hyped for.

The Last of Us Episode 3, 'Long, Long Time' may just be one of the best episodes of television ever, and Socially Distanced is talking about. Amanda Rivas, Al Mannarino and Bill Bodkin are joined by Alisha Weinberger to discuss this landmark episode of the fledgling series. In the episode they discuss the performances of Nick Offerman as Bill (shockingly no the original actor cast in the role) and Murray Bartlett as Frank. They discuss how the episode diverges from the main arc but yet does so much for the narrative and the series as a whole, how the episode brought everyone to tears multiple times, and how the deviation from the game was the absolute right call.

Please be warned there are spoilers for The Last of Us Part II and Last of Us DLC content throughout the podcast. 

In the pre-game segment the group discusses James Gunn's announcements for the DCU and which they're most excited for as well as their picks for what they're digging on in the world of pop culture this week.

It's time to talk about the first undeniable runaway hit TV series of 2023 -- HBO's The Last of Us. Al Mannarino, Amanda Rivas and Bill Bodkin are joined by their favorite "geriatric millennial daddy" Alisha Weinberger to discuss the small screen adaptation of Naughty Dog's classic video game series.

They discuss video game adaptations, Pedro Pascal's performance as Joel and how it differs from Mando, Bella Ramsey's foul mouth, the differences between the game and the series, the horrific reality of the premise, how having the team behind Chernobyl involved the series was the best thing to happen to the adaptation and why the series has seen an exponential jump in viewership. Alisha discusses the "bread theory" a wildly logical reason how the fungus spread throughout the world, plus her excitement over the series' second episode taking place in Indonesia complete with Indonesian performers. Scarlett Mannarino makes her podcast debut as well, and we hear Amanda melt in audio form.

In the pre-game segment the group discusses Justin Roiland being removed from Rick & Morty and what that means for the future and legacy of the hit Adult Swim series.