Special guest Merlin Mann, who is outstanding in his field, joins Ben, Tiff, and Brian in their recap this week. Pedro Pascal was great on SNL, Melanie Lynskey is great in everything, and we don’t know how syphoning works, but we know it works. Plus, a new way of looking at popcorn.

Ellie's Got a Gun

Ben Rice McCarthy and Brian Hamilton with Merlin Mann and Tiff Arment

HBO Mario Kart Trailer - SNL - YouTube

Grouch (Joker Parody) - SNL - YouTube

Vanity Fair on Instagram: “Yes, Pedro Pascal does consider himself to be a heartthrob—as do we. Watch #TheLastOfUs star take a lie detector test at the link in bio.”

The World Without Us - Wikipedia

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Remember when Tiff, Ben, and Brian speculated that each episode of The Last of Us would have a flashback to 2003? Well, this episode has one of those. What happens in that flashback may or may not make all three of us cry on the podcast; you’ll have to listen to find out. Break out your Linda Ronstadt songbook and pour yourself a glass of wine.

To whomever, but probably Joel

Ben Rice McCarthy and Brian Hamilton with Tiff Arment

The Last of Us Pedro Pascal Jacket | Huckberry

Kate Leth on Twitter: “Finally… a San Junipero for men ✨” / Twitter

zach silberberg on Twitter: “the last of us writers were like “hey joel needs a car. what if we write the most touching and heartbreaking hour of television in the world”” / Twitter

Google’s The Last of Us Easter egg is parasitic fungus | PC Gamer

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Ben has some incredible follow up about flour, which leads us right into our Jakarta interlude before jumping right back to Boston. Tiff, Ben, and Brian learn more about the cordyceps than the video game ever taught us, while Joel learns even more about himself and his relationship to Ellie than he ever knew. Plus, prepare your appetite for the Mushroom of the Week!

Ben Rice McCarthy and Brian Hamilton with Tiff Arment

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It’s 1968, and two epidemiologists discuss viral infections on ABC. It’s 2003, and just two years after 9/11, a zombie outbreak stops the world in its tracks. It’s 2023, and three friends that love video games, TV dramas, and podcasting started a new show recapping HBO’s The Last of Us TV series. Whether you’re here for creepy zombie chase scenes or arguments about a car battery, this TV show is for people who love guns and emotions.

For people who love guns and emotions.

Ben Rice McCarthy and Brian Hamilton with Tiff Arment

Cordyceps: attack of the killer fungi - Planet Earth Attenborough BBC wildlife - YouTube

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In advance of the debut of The Last of Us on HBO, Ben and Brian discuss their histories with the video game and their excitement at the cast and crew of the show before analyzing the first teaser trailer. Finally a Mushroom of the Week is crowned. See you all next week!

Recorded December 12, 2022

Trailer Analysis and Expectations

Ben Rice McCarthy and Brian Hamilton

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