Taking It Down

This week, Blaine checks in on 'Manhunt' from Apple TV+ (1:23) before pondering why people are missing 'The Big Door Prize' (3:15).

When the entire crew joins, they toss ideas for the upcoming 200th episode (7:16) before discussing the depth of the ideas in 'Dark Matter' as well as non-spoiler thoughts on the show itself from Apple TV+ (9:38). After that, they decide how they feel about the announcement of two more seasons of 'Shōgun' (20:30).

After the break, Blaine and Donovan discuss episodes four and five of the HBO series 'The Sympathizer': was it purposefully without intention? (28:20).

As always, join The Alabama Take on the site to see all that happens in and around the entire podcast family and compositions. https://www.thealabamatake.com

Blaine flies solo this week, but not without a lot to say. This week's episode begins with some of the latest from The Alabama Take (0:16) before he gives brief and non-spoiler thoughts on the fourth episode of 'The Sympathizer' (1:15). He ponders the news on 'Shōgun' (1:44), recommends 'Dark Matter' on Apple TV+ (2:53), and explains what '3 Body Problem' needs to do if he's to continue its path (3:56).

The big topic, though, is spoilers: they should be handled with care and respect for the creators and viewers, and Blaine uses a particular one at the culture site Vulture and author Kathryn VanArendonk (4:46). It will leave you fired up or feeling sorry for the critic. You can judge!

Be sure to subscribe to The Alabama Take's newsletter at https://thealabamatake.com/newsletter and find many more essays and thoughts on The Alabama Take site.

This week, Blaine begins with various TV shows without spoilers, including final thoughts on 'The Gentleman' on Netflix. From there, it's a brief opinion on the most recent episode of 'Under the Bridge' on Hulu; he gets to the big event of the Apple TV+ show 'Sugar'; then he comes down more friendly on 'Manhunt' from Apple TV+.

Adam and Donovan join and they all discuss the direction and lack of criteria for 'The Challenge: All-Stars' The guys offer ideas and opinions on the current fourth season of the spin-off series.

After the break, it's the second and third episodes of the HBO adaptation of the book 'The Sympathizer.' It's a lot about duality, identity, and the absurdity of war as they unpack their feelings on the two entries. Plus, a whole lot of Robert Downey Jr.

Find more on TheAlabamaTake.com

This week, Blaine begins with a few non-spoiler thoughts on the Netflix sensation 'Baby Reindeer' (0:42) before he laments all the shows that seem worth watching, from 'The Sympathizer,' 'Under the Bridge,' 'The Big Door Prize,' all the way down to 'Manhunt' (2:26). What should be next?

From there, the entire crew join in to talk without spoilers on 'Shōgun' (4:42) before breaking down the incredible finale in depth with spoilers (7:21).

To end the episode, Donovan and Blaine discuss the first four episodes of 'Baby Reindeer' in more depth (28:25).

As always, check out the site TheAlabamaTake.com for more and hop on the newsletter by visiting https://thealabamatake.com/newsletter -- this week only, it comes with a fun quiz!

This week, Blaine starts with an entire bundle of television. First, he lets listeners know how to leave the podcast a voice message (1:30) as well as how to sign up for The Alabama Take's newsletter (2:16). Then it's the new series from Netflix 'Baby Reindeer,' which is gaining some traction; this segment does not contain spoilers for the show (2:46).

After that, Blaine returns to the Apple TV+ show 'Sugar' to discuss a few things from the fourth episode, all without spoilers (5:28). Hulu's new series 'Under the Bridge' has his attention. He recaps some of his broad thoughts on it without spoiling any of it (6:27).

From there, Donovan and Adam join the show, and Donovan gives his recommendation on the new HBO series 'The Sympathizer' in the spoiler-free section (9:36). It's full spoilers from that point as all three are eager to talk about the penultimate episode of 'Shōgun,' "Crimson Sky" (15:18).

Then it's more in-depth with the first episode of 'The Sympathizer' as Blaine and Donvoan talk about its blend of comedy and gravitas and if that's sustainable (35:15).

Find a lot more at TheAlabamaTake.com as well as the YouTube channel for The Alabama Take.

This week, Blaine begins with The Alabama Take and its newest endeavor: a newsletter, plus some more news (1:40)! Blaine then talks about headlines in pop culture that contain spoilers for TV shows and movies -- and he calls out names (3:30). Donovan joins the podcast, and they briefly discuss what they may think of the new Apple TV+ series 'Franklin' since they have yet to see it (8:30). They discuss a few spoiler-free things related to Shōgun (12:16) before getting into the specifics and spoilers of the eighth episode, titled "The Abyss of Life," with boils with intensity (13:45).

Blaine also reviews the latest episode of 'Sugar' and its developing mystery which may be too easy to have determined (33:28).

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In this week's TV and streaming coverage on Taking It Down, the hosts discuss the TV series Shōgun and the two-episode premier of the Apple TV+ show Sugar. To begin, Blaine has brief thoughts without any spoilers for 3 Body Problem from Netflix (2:07) and Manhunt (3:09) before he brings in Adam and Donovan to give them advice on transcripts with podcasts (4:07). From there, the hosts talk about both Shōgun (5:02) and Sugar (6:51) with no spoilers as they determine if they would recommend each. From there, it's a deep discussion on the seventh episode of Shōgun titled "A Stick of Time" (8:52). On the back half of the episode, Blaine reveals the specifics of why Sugar delivers a knock-out punch with two episodes (31:22).

Host Blaine flies solo this week to discuss what in the world is up with Mary Poppins (3:54) before he talks broadly about Shōgun with no spoilers (6:03) and then dissects the sixth episode of Shōgun titled "Ladies of the Willow World" (7:19).

This week's episode features an ad from our friends at the podcast Polyphonic Press, a show for music fans of all stripes where each week the hosts review a classic album from a list of over one-thousand releases from all genres of music. The twist? They have no idea what album will spin! Join them on Tuesdays for a new classic album and listen along to rediscover (or discover) the best in music.

This week on Taking It Down, Blaine begins with a quick, non-spoiler thought on Netflix's The Gentlemen (2:59). From there, he discusses without spoiling Manhunt from Apple TV+ (3:16) and 3 Body Problem on Netflix with no spoilers (5:47). After a hello from Adam, the two give some non-spoiler thoughts on Shōgun overall (8:39) before discussing TV's odd schedule (9:44). From there, they discuss Shōgun's fifth episode "Broken To The Fist," which has spoilers from that point forward (11:24).

This week's episode features an ad from our friends at the podcast Polyphonic Press, a show for music fans of all stripes where each week the hosts review a classic album from a list of over one-thousand releases from all genres of music. The twist? They have no idea what album will spin! Join them on Tuesdays for a new classic album and listen along to rediscover (or discover) the best in music.

Find and talk to Taking It Down on Instagram, Threads, and Bluesky.

As always, the YouTube channel for The Alabama Take features all episodes of this podcast and the rest of the family of podcasts.

The TV and streaming from The Alabama Take family of podcasts returns! This week, Taking It Down begins with a new introduction from host Blaine (0:00), which also includes a few non-spoiler thoughts about the Netflix series The Gentlemen starring Theo James and created by Guy Ritchie (4:20). The co-hosts then join the discussion: can they recommend the new series Shōgun on FX/Hulu (7:55)? After the suggestions for listeners, it's a deep dive into spoilers of the show that account for why Shōgun is as good as it is (12:37). Welcome back!

This week's episode features an ad from our friends at the podcast Polyphonic Press, a show for music fans of all stripes where each week the hosts review a classic album from a list of over one-thousand releases from all genres of music. The twist? They have no idea what album will spin! Join them on Tuesdays for a new classic album and listen along to rediscover (or discover) the best in music.

Find and talk to Taking It Down on Instagram, Threads, and Bluesky.

As always, the YouTube channel for The Alabama Take features all episodes of this podcast and the rest of the family of podcasts.