The Midnight Myth Podcast

Winter is HERE, and we need a good laugh to get us through the long night. This week, on a special episode of the Midnight Myth, we’re hanging out in Westeros, pitting your favorite characters from Game ofThrones against each other in some surprising scenarios. Who will lead a better campaign for PTA president? Who will succeed at ASOIAF Jeopardy? These crazy questions and more as we get to the heart of characters like Khal Drogo, Hot Pie, and Olenna Tyrell. It’s a Polar Vortex Boomerangerang.

Winter has finally come in the Northern United States, so what better time to revisit HBO’s Game of Thrones with a study of one of the most complex characters hailing from the North. This week, we’re talking about Ser Jorah Mormont, disgraced son of the Old Bear, advisor to the Dragon Queen, and a fascinating model for knightly codes of honor. We’ll go back to the history of chivalry, its imprint on literature through Arthurian Romance, and where this medieval system intersects with Jorah. We’ll also discuss the role of romantic love in the world of Westeros, and unpack the complicated questions of Jorah’s past romances, his desire for Daenerys, and the ultimate impact of his love.

The door may have closed on Sterling Cooper and the glamorous look into 1960s America that came with AMC’s Mad Men, but the world we inhabit today remains heavily influenced by the images and events of that turbulent time. Advertising and media continue to shape our cultural viewpoints. Presidential politics and every day life still exist in the shadow of civil rights, the assassinations of John F Kennedy and Martin Luther King Jr… Join Derek & Laurel this week as we unpack a landmark television series that cast its major characters in the role of witness to the monumental events of American history. We’ll explore various theories of history, from Carlyle to Nietzsche, and determine where our histories and myths of the 60s collide.

Holy motherforking shirtballs! The Midnight Myth is finally taking on NBC’s The Good Place, one character at a time. This week, the question is: what does it mean to be an Eleanor? Following the central protagonist through the two and a half seasons of the Good Place (and through countless metaphysical realms), we’ll discover some surprising truths about morality, change, responsibility, and of course—horniness.

New Year, New Doctor! Derek and Laurel are here to explore some of the most consistent themes and arcs of season 11 of the BBC’s Doctor Who (and to celebrate the joyous spirit that is Jodie Whitaker’s Doctor!) Spoilers abound for the latest season, but we’ll focus most closely on two episodes: Demons of the Punjab and It Takes You Away to understand the poignant and powerful motifs of new show runner Chris Chibnall’s Doctor Who debut. Enlightenment religious theory, postwar colonial Indian history, and sonic screwdrivers await.

As year two of the Midnight Myth Podcast comes to a close, we look back on the stories that shook us, made us laugh, cry, and cheer this year: Black Panther, Infinity War, Handmaid’s Tale, Game of Thrones, and so much more… Our first year-in-review looks back at every story we loved, looks at the patterns and universal themes in the stories that connect us, and how they shape our identities in an ever-changing world. Lastly, we look forward to 2019— what we’ll try to do, personally and on the podcast, in this journey called humanity.

It’s the Eve of Christmas, and the Midnight Myth is here to bring you joy and cheer. With a Holiday Edition of our classic Boomerangerang, we’re swapping your favorite Christmas-y characters with non-holiday franchises to see who’d fare well in the “real world.” Who’d make a better Don Draper: Frosty the Snowman or George Bailey? All that and more. Watch our Twitter to vote for the winners, and of course, happy new year.

Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, Happy New Year to all. It’s another Midnight Myth Christmas Special, and this time we’re breaking down one of the most beloved Christmas stories of all time: Frank Capra’s It’s A Wonderful Life. Derek and Laurel revisit flashbacks of the life of George Bailey, the caretaker of Bedford Falls, using his story to understand the greater themes of the season, and of American exceptionalism. From Enlightenment economics to creative nursing and A Christmas Carol, this episode truly celebrates the little things.

Winter has most certainly come, and it’s time to revisit Westeros on our mission to understand and analyze the major players in the Game of Thrones. This week, we’re looking at the eldest Stark daughter Sansa, who, against all predictions, has shown one of the most transformative and triumphant character arcs on the series. From a naive child to a Lannister hostage to the queen in the North, Sansa’s journey has been fraught with trauma, abuse, and tragedy—yet she’s proven herself a survivor (and deeply empowered one). Listen for our thoughts on what makes Sansa tick—and why we think she has as good a shot as anyone at claiming the Iron Throne.

This week Derek and Laurel are back at it discussing the 1981 classic action adventure move, Indian Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark. While the movie retains its iconic classic feel, listen as your hosts discuss the real world implications of archaeology and ethics. As Indy always says, “It belongs in a museum” we ask, does it? What is the nature of an artifact and who really owns them? Tune in and let us know what you think as there are no easy answers.