The Incomparable Superfeed

Thirty-three episodes of new live-action “Star Trek” have now concluded, and we’re going to talk about all of it. We bring some tough love for “Discovery” and “Picard”, which disappointed us. But all is not lost—there’s a lot of unabashed love for “Strange New Worlds.” - Jason Snell with Jean MacDonald, Joe Rosensteel, Tony Sindelar and David J. Loehr.

Gilgamesh, a king, at Uruk. It’s not just a Star Trek meme. Gregory Fried talks ritual sex, heavenly bulls, and sneaky snakes in the Epic of Gilgamesh. - John McCoy with Gregory Fried.

We’re past the halfway point in our abbreviated season and this time hotshot programmer Lex Friedman has been sucked into a computer where he meets heroic program Dan Moren and they watch 1982’s Tron. Hot topics include glossaries of computer terms, frisbee playing, and the power of metaphors. Programming Note: In addition to this capsule episode, which contains our discussion before and after the film, members can watch along with Lex and Dan in a full-length commentary track, available in the members-only First Class feed. If you’re not already a member, why not sign up? And if you are, now’s a great time to update your membership allocations and maybe throw a little support in the direction of Not Playing. Thanks! - Lex Friedman and Dan Moren.

In the aftermath of last week’s landslide, this week is all about picking up the pieces. The physical pieces, but also the emotional ones. Karen gets confronted, finally, about her behavior last season—and from an unexpected source. And Danny, this year’s Karen, reveals a lot more about his own problems. - Dan Moren and Jason Snell.

After Tiff and Stephen watch Die Hard, break the pig rib, and drink some Gl├╝hwein, they can finally discuss “Dwight Christmas”. This episode of “The Office” originally aired on December 6, 2012. - Tiff Arment and Stephen Hackett.

Barbara Stanwyck is back, and we’ve got her. Here’s a noir melodrama with its share of flaws that I like, regardless. And man, IMDB gives a LOT more plot than I would have. “A pregnant woman adopts the identity of a railroad crash victim and starts a new life with the woman’s wealthy in-laws, but is soon blackmailed by her devious ex.” It’s stylishly directed by Mitchell Leisen, and features lots of familiar character actors. And John Lund is also in it. - Shelly Brisbin with Nathan Alderman and Randy Dotinga.

Are we herding them? Or Hurting them? - Tony Sindelar with Aleen Simms, Dan Moren, Erika Ensign, Jane Ritt and Mikah Sargent.

It’s a big thing in the middle of nowhere. Does it need to be a rock to be a monolith? - John Siracusa and Jason Snell.

Your “hosts” Kelly and Don are back to react to the latest episode of Westworld! Don gets to do a brief “I Was Right” dance, and Kelly discovers Westworld-themed nail polish for all Buckaroos. - Kelly Guimont and Don Melton.

Bring yourself back online! Don and Kelly step into analysis for the fourth episode of the fourth season of Westworld. At the halfway point, your “hosts” look at this season so far: Don reports back from a visit with Reddit-boham, the Internet Theory Machine, and Kelly continues to spend cycles on an as yet unanswered question. - Kelly Guimont and Don Melton.