The Midnight Myth Podcast

When the troubling chaos of life presents you with unprecedented power from a random radioactive spider bite, what do you do? In a sweeping study of one of the most popular superheroes ever (and his iconic alter ego, Peter Parker), Derek and Laurel draw on mythological and Shakespearean sources to understand the enduring appeal of your friendly neighborhood Spider-Man. At the core of this conversation is an unconventional coming-of-age narrative, a character who resonates with baby boomers and millennials alike, and a powerful meditation on the mantra: With great power, comes great responsibility.

It’s the Boomerangerang! A scorching pop culture debate tradition from the Midnight Myth. This time around, the theme is “Pitch the Script.” Derek & Laurel draw names of beloved film directors from a hat and fight to the death for their chosen iconoclast to direct… some pretty out-there movie concepts. Who would you rather see direct Rambo vs Bambi? Martin Scorsese or Peter Jackson? Who’s your pick for a post-apocalyptic fantasy—Sofia Coppola or Quentin Tarantino? With unabashed conviction and passionate yarn-spinning, come along with us into the bizarre world of the Boomerangerang.

The Wheel of Ka returns with Derek and Steve’s discussion on Book II of Stephen King’s the Dark Tower: The Drawing of the Three. What can be learned from Roland’s trip up the beach, dodging lobstrosities and crossing a doorway into another dimension only to help a heroin addict cross NYC customs with large sums of cocaine? Derek and Steve breakdown the obstacles in the path of our unlikely three heroes and how each obstacle reflects the dual nature within their souls. Can their souls be mended so that each of the three can form a questing group worthy of gaining the nexus of reality known as the Tower? And what of Mort, the Pusher, and death? Listen to this month’s episode, and say true.

In a new format of Game of Thrones analysis, this episode dives in to a relationship study of two characters from the HBO series: Ser Jaime Lannister and Brienne of Tarth. Both raised to uphold a code of chivalry, with varying degrees of success, this pair constitutes a unique form of doubling within A Song of Ice and Fire. They represent two sides of an age-old argument—and they need one another to reach the next level in their development. With allusions to similar relationships in Dickens and Arthurian literature, Derek and Laurel dig in to the philosophies these two Westerosi knights embody. Oathkeeper or Oathbreaker, enjoy this deep dive into two fascinating characters.

This podcast is dark and full of spoilers for seasons 1-7 of Game of Thrones! In a new in-depth character study from the universe of A Song of Ice and Fire, Derek and Laurel explore the Red Woman: Melisandre. She made an explosive appearance in season two of the HBO series as the mouthpiece of a mysterious religion, and she whispered in the ears of kings, wielding her strange influence from one land to the next. By turns upholding and deconstructing the ancient archetype of the sorceress, Melisandre’s very nature is enigmatic, making the quest of understanding her a never-ending task. So we look to women of history, mythology, and folklore to grasp her inner workings, and to the faith to which she so keenly clings to imagine her deepest motivations.

What is the secret of the Grail? Who does it serve? In this long-awaited podcast, Derek and Laurel explore the legends surrounding King Arthur and his knights of the Round Table. Tracking the legend from its inception in the early middle ages to the definitive Hollywood adaptation, John Boorman’s dreamy Excalibur, we’ll seek the answers to the most important questions in Arthuriana. What does it mean to be king? What does it mean to be a people? What is the true quest, the true frontier? From Lancelot and Guinevere to Percival, Gawain, Morgan le Fay, and of course Merlin, this podcast leaves no sword in its stone.

“The man in black fled across the desert, and the gunslinger followed…” A simple sentence used to kick start Stephen King’s series The Dark Tower. In this bonus episode of the Midnight Myth, Derek and new guest co-host Steve do a deep dive into book one, The Gunslinger. From the slow muties, to weigh stations, and old time saloons on the edge of apocalypse playing “Hey Jude”, you don’t want to miss this palaver. Go on— and download, listen, share and review— as there are other worlds than these.

The Wheel of Ka is a new podcast mini-series from the Midnight Myth. Monthly installments feature book-by-book analysis of Stephen King’s epic fantasy series, The Dark Tower. Read along and join us for discussion.

The epic conclusion of our two-part podcast series on the legendary outlaw Robin Hood has arrived, and we’re picking up where we left off—with 1991’s Robin Hood, Prince of Thieves. Kevin Costner’s very American take on the beloved hero is only one of the many compelling aspects of the film, which embodies the progressive spirit that’s infused the legend for nearly a millennia. Derek and Laurel discuss the movie’s historical context within the Crusades, its charms and missteps as pertains to its view of non-Western characters, and the dramatic techniques folded into the age-old story. Plenty of swashbuckling and praise for the immortal Alan Rickman’s dastardly Sheriff of Nottingham is to be expected as well.

We have all heard the stories, seen the movies, read the children’s books, about Medieval England’s daring outlaw, who steals from the rich to give to the poor. Join us for part one of a two episode series, as we discuss the folk origins of Robin Hood. From the beer guzzling Friar Tuck to the notorious Sheriff of Nottingham, Derek and Laurel explore the long history of this enigmatic folk hero. How did a few ballads and festivals of Medieval England become one of the most prolific heroes of all time? Head to Sherwood Forest, put on your green hoods, and notch an arrow as you don’t want to miss this stunning deep dive into this bonafide legend.

Valentine’s Day is nearly upon us! To celebrate the spirit of the day of love, The Midnight Myth goes back to the middle ages and the Renaissance. That’s right, it’s a Shakespeare episode. We’re dishing up historical context and analysis for one of the most important pieces of literature ever written: Romeo & Juliet. An early work in the bard’s long line of tragedies, comedies, and histories, Romeo & Juliet can be viewed as the work that invented our modern understanding of love. And the poet himself may be the man who invented modern man. All this and more in a very special Midnight Myth episode for lovers, fools, poets, and madmen.