Socially Distanced

It's the final episode of The Mandalorian for 2023 and there is a lot to talk about.

Host Amanda Rivas is joined by Pop Break Editor-in-Chief Bill Bodkin, Pop Break Managing Editor Al Mannarino (returned from the Quantum Realm) and "The Commander of our Hearts" Ben Murchison to discuss The Mandalorian Chapter 24, 'The Return.'

In this episode they discuss the destruction of the dark saber, Mando & Grogu's future, the epic battles, the Gideon clones and so much more. The foursome discuss the myriad of issues that plagued the season, if the creators actually have a plan for the future of the Mandoverse, and did a Disney investor call during the pandemic cause the problems we're seeing in both Star Wars and Marvel?

In the pre-game segment they discuss Paramount+'s announcement that they will be creating a series based on the cult 1999 sci-fi comedy Galaxy Quest. They look at the pros, the cons, how it makes more sense to apply this series idea to Star Trek and why networks are making some really odd adaptation choices.

It's the penultimate episode of The Mandalorian and that means "The Prince of Penultimate" Alex Marcus (The Director of Pop Break's Podcast Network) joins "The Human Star Wars Encyclopedia" Amanda Rivas and Bill Bodkin (soon to be rebranded as Bill in May).

This week The Mandalorian Chapter 23, "The Spies" is on tap. The discussion on who the "spies" actually are is discussed in-depth. Amanda, Alex and Bill also discuss Grogu using the husk of IG-11 as a stroller, the direction of Ricky Famuyiwa, the addition of Grand Admiral Thrawn, breadcrumbs and more.

The trio pre-game with a discussion of everything that came out of last week's Star Wars Celebration including the Ahsoka trailer, the new Star Wars live action films, and more.

The Socially Distanced podcast returns with a deep dive into The Mandalorian Chapter 22, 'Guns for Hire.' 

"The Human Star Wars Encyclopedia" Amanda Rivas lead a rogue's gallery of guests including Pop Break's editor-in-chief Bill Bodkin, Al Mannarino freshly returned from the quantum realm and special guest writer and producer Melanie Romero.

The quartet discuss the flaws of the episode and the series lack of direction, but praise Bryce Dallas Howard's handling of Star Wars lore, the action sequences, the big time cameos and the ever-evolving story of the season.

Theories abound about the debut of Admiral Thrawn, Sabine and whether Boba Fett and Ahsoka will make their triumphant returns. They look at the "Law & Order" presentation of the episode and of course, swoon over their sweet baby boy.

In the pre-game segment, they discuss the trailer for Greta Gerwig's latest film Barbie. Who is this movie made for? Will it be successful in a summer of major blockbusters? And was Ryan Gosling the right choice for Ken?

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.