Taking It Down

This week, the episode kicks off with the trio—Adam, Donovan, and Blaine—reuniting after their holiday break to discuss the endings of 2025's television.

To begin, Blaine breaks down where they've been and how it almost ended (0:02). In the non-spoiler section, the guys join Blaine to talk about 'Stranger Things 5' and its return to form (2:29). They also discuss the finales, without spoilers, for 'Plur1bus' (4:56), 'Welcome to Derry' (6:19), and 'The Chair Company' (9:07).

In the spoiler section, it's what made 'Stranger Things 5' work (12:17), what 'Plur1bus' likely had to say (30:54), how 'Welcome to Derry' was more of a roller coaster than show (44:50), and how 'The Chair Company' achieved something utterly wild (49:13).

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This week, Blaine gives a welcome and overview (0:02) before Donovan joins to talk non-spoilers about the D&D heavy episodes of 'Stranger Things 5' (1:12). They briefly talk about the new Netflix film 'Knives Out: Wake Up Dead Man' (6:24). From there, they continue some non-spoiler ideas on if 'Welcome to Derry' is good (7:43) and the amount of episodes left for 'Pluribus' (11:04).

In non-spoilers, the bulk of the discussion revolves around 'Welcome to Derry,' where they analyze the show's recent developments and if it can count as having thematic depth (16:19). From there, it is spoiler section for 'Pluribus,' where they recognize its unique storytelling (39:58).

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This week, Blaine offers an overview of the podcast as a whole (0:02) before welcoming Donovan and Adam. Where has Adam been all this time (1:32)?

From there in the non-spoiler section, they all discuss the worries of the Netflix purchase of Warner Bros and HBO (3:01) before discussing 'Stranger Things 5' and its return to Netflix (7:49). Also on Netflix is the movie 'Train Dreams,' which they question who would enjoy it (14:29) before a quick non-spoiler look at 'Plur1bus' on Apple TV and how it is holding (19:08). They give a similar check-in with the HBO series 'Welcome to Derry' (21:04) before Blaine explains in the non-spoiler section how 'The Beast In Me' on Netflix goes wrong (22:09). He offers 'The Chair Company' as a potential great one before moving on (23:18).

In spoilers, the hosts discuss the excellence of 'Train Dreams' (25:59), what needs changed in 'Plur1bus' (51:10), and how 'Welcome to Derry' pales to another current series (1:05:23).

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Without Adam and Donovan, what's Blaine to do (0:02)?

He's in luck. He introduces one of the higher-ups at The Alabama Take (1:16), and Corey comes to the table to first recount 'Return of the Jedi' from years ago (2:01). From there, they briefly discuss this season of 'The Challenge: Vets and New Threats' (2:52) before getting into the meat of the show, which is HBO's 'IT: Welcome to Derry' and how the show successfully balances horror while remaining engaging for viewers in the nonspoiler section (4:56).

For spoilers, it's about the plot of the series and if it can maintain its scares (18:35).

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Taking It Down is back again in the same week for a Thanksgiving special wit all spoilers, so be careful and use the time stamps!

First, Blaine welcomes and gives an overview of the episode (0:02) before reminding everyone about this different podcast episode for Taking It Down (1:35).

Once Donovan joins, the two discuss how 'Welcome to Derry' from HBO has mixed merits (3:32). After that, they shift gears to Netflix's 'Death by Lightning,' as it has a witty and energetic narrative (21:15). The conversation then turns to Apple TV's 'Pluribus,' where they try their best to unravel its mysteries (33:46). To end, Donovan offers a brief thought on 'Frankenstein' which is now airing on Netflix (54:07).

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Taking It Down comes out this week with two episodes, and this, the first, offers thoughts that are all without spoilers.

Blaine begins with a welcome and overview of the first non-spoiler show (0:03), but when Donovan joins, he questions the existence of UMass (2:13).

The hosts get into television with Ken Burns, controversy, and his new documentary 'The American Revolution' on PBS (3:56). Has he lost his touch? From there, it's short thoughts on 'The Beast in Me' from Netflix and how Matthew Rhys and Claire Danes can do no wrong (14:01). They continue a few ideas on 'IT: Welcome to Derry' (17:09) and praise the energy of 'Death by Lightning' on Netflix (25:15). They can't say much about 'Plur1bus' on Apple TV, but they try, especially about the creators (32:26) before moving into the Netflix film 'Frankenstein' and how it differs from other famous adaptations (34:53).

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Blaine welcomes everyone to being Taking It Down (0:02) but then Blaine and Donovan get into non-spoilers with all the new television that's currently airing, much of which sound appealing (4:32) as well as the newly filmed 'Frankenstein' (4:53).

From there, and still in non-spoilers, they discuss the big hit for Apple TV with 'Pluribus' (5:56) as it reunites the 'Breaking Bad' and 'Better Call Saul' crew. They stay with non-spoilers for the second and scary episode of 'Welcome to Derry' (10:14) as well as the finale for the FX and Hulu 'The Lowdown' (15:11).

In spoilers, they discuss what 'Welcome to Derry' gets right and what it can do to become great (19:25). They also discuss how 'The Lowdown' revealed what it really wants to be seen as, and it is perfect, including what it has to say, surprisingly on white savior trope (42:47).

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This week, Blaine welcomes Donovan and gives the welcome and overview for this week's episode (0:01). They discuss how there is a lot to pick on TV lately, some of which they'd even like to see if time allowed (3:41).

In the non-spoiler section, they begin by talking about how 'Chad Powers' may be a lot better than people expect (5:15). They give their first reactions to the HBO series 'It: Welcome to Derry' (14:26). Lastly, in the non-spoilers is the talk of 'Task' on HBO (24:14).

To begin spoilers, Blaine and Donovan talk about how 'Chad Powers' is great, though it may not even deserve to be as funny as it is (27:13). Then they finalize their thoughts on the HBO series 'Task,' a show that balances its heavy themes and leaves viewers asking questions long after it is complete (45:23).

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After a brief introduction and overview (0:02), Blaine welcomes Donovan and the two hosts begin with why 'Black Rabbit' on Netflix is so digestible, which has a lot to do with stars Jude Law and Jason Bateman (1:00). Then Blaine advises Donovan to avoid the new Apple TV+ drama 'The Last Frontier' with non-spoiler reasons (3:23) but encourages him to catch up on 'Chad Powers' because it is more than funny as he explains what it examines (7:02). They then talk about the first three episodes of the FX and Hulu series 'The Lowdown' with no spoilers (10:54) as well as the fifth powerful episode of 'Task' (18:03).

Shifting into the spoilers, Blaine and Donovan come to a temporary conclusion on what 'The Lowdown' has to say, especially in episodes three and four (20:38). Then they break down one of the best episodes of the year with the fifth episode of the HBO crime drama 'Task' (38:14).

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Blaine and Donovan are back this week with plenty of TV discussions.

After an introduction and overview (0:02), the two begin with a talk on class reunions (1:28).

Then it's to television and the non-spoiler section to begin with a lighthearted look at 'Chad Powers' on Hulu (4:24). Moving on, they tackle Netflix's 'Monster: The Ed Gein Story', where the hosts critique its slow pacing and over-the-top performances (8:27). They also discuss 'Black Rabbit,' noting the dynamics between Jude Law and Jason Bateman (14:39). From there, it's a shift to Tulsa with 'The Lowdown' on Hulu (16:17). Finally in non-spoilers, they wrap up with 'Task' on HBO (22:03).

After the break, Blaine and Donovan detail what may be lurking under 'The Lowdown' (25:03) and how the intensity of 'Task' in its fourth episode still has plenty of threads to connect to be considered great (38:22).

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