This Week In Culture – Episode 530 | The Drop Season 1 Episode 2 Review

Two episodes in, and The Drop is starting to show Ant & J exactly what kind of story it wants to tell.

This week, the guys get into the politics surrounding Lamar and Artillery trying to make music together in a city where the wrong neighborhood, the wrong person in your house, or even the wrong conversation can turn into something much bigger. Meanwhile, Wanda is making moves of her own, proving that she might understand the music business better than everybody around her gives her credit for. 

But when a record deal gets mixed up with money, disrespect and gang politics, things go left quickly. That brings Leon deeper into the story, and Ant & J discuss why his history and reputation might make him the perfect person to keep everybody from destroying an opportunity before it even gets started.

The guys also talk about Dara’s introduction as a real power player, DG learning the hard way that money doesn’t mean you can talk to everybody however you want, Big Deon getting pulled back into the situation, and why the peace Leon just helped negotiate may already be in trouble.

Hip-hop is bringing these worlds together—but the streets aren’t going anywhere.

Tap in with Ant & J for Episode 530 of This Week In Culture and their breakdown of The Drop: A Snowfall Saga, Season 1 Episode 2. 

This Week In Culture – Episode 529 | The Drop Season 1 Episode 1 Review

Three years after Snowfall ended, Ant & J are finally back in that world with The Drop: A Snowfall Saga. And considering how much Snowfall means to TWIC, the guys admit they were nervous about whether this spinoff could live up to the name.

Thankfully, Episode 1 gave them plenty to talk about.

Ant & J break down Wanda's attempt to turn her love of music into a real career, Lamar's dreams of becoming a producer, and how the show is using the early-'90s Los Angeles rap and gang scene to tell a completely different story within the Snowfall universe. They also discuss Wanda and Leon's relationship, the difficulty of escaping your past, and the tension between supporting someone's dreams and trying to protect them from the reality surrounding those dreams.

The guys also get into Artillery, the record industry, crossover appeal, the complicated relationship between hip-hop and the police, and a standout moment between Lamar and his brother James that captures one of the episode's biggest themes: What happens when the people who love you don't necessarily believe your dream is realistic?

By the end, Ant & J agree that the premiere gets stronger as it goes—and they're excited about the possibilities. With the story beginning in 1991, there's a lot of Los Angeles history still ahead, from the music and gang culture to the '92 riots and everything that followed.

Snowfall is over, but this world might have another story worth investing in.

Tap in for Ant & J's first review of The Drop: A Snowfall Saga.

This Week In Culture – Episode 528

Ant & J are back after a slight technical difficulty wiped out an entire two-hour episode last week. This time around, the guys catch up on everything happening in culture and, as usual, the conversation ends up going in a few different directions.

They start with TV news and everything coming down the pipeline, including the upcoming Snowfall spinoff The Drop, the return of Reasonable Doubt, Power: Origins, Fightland and why this next stretch of television could give the TWIC family plenty to talk about. The guys also get into British TV, accents, Tom Hardy’s reported issues behind the scenes of MobLand, and whether Aaron Pierre has really shown enough yet for them to know how good of an actor he is.

From there, Ant & J talk about why some movies completely disappear from the cultural conversation, revisit Snowfalland what made Franklin Saint’s character development work, and explain why they’re excited to see The Drop explore Los Angeles, music and street culture during the era that followed.

The conversation eventually takes a trip back to Insecure, including Lawrence and Issa’s legendary arguments, Daniel, some of the show’s wildest moments, and an idea for a “Men-Secure” conversation looking back at the series from the guys’ perspective. They also react to Issa Rae and Prentice Penny returning to HBO with a new series centered around boxing, friendship and ambition.

And because it’s TWIC, things eventually go completely left. The guys get into Joey Bada$$ and Serayah’s breakup, revisit Joey’s old relationship advice to Tristan Thompson, and J makes his case for why Serayah should forget all of that and come to Detroit instead.

Before getting out of there, Ant & J check in on The Doctor From Detroit and Average Joe, including why one might be a little too complicated for its own good and why the other may have already jumped the shark.

Plenty of TV, plenty of culture, and plenty of unnecessary detours.

Tap in with Ant & J for Episode 528 of This Week In Culture.

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This Week In Culture EP526: Raising Kanan S5E7 Review

The countdown to the finale is on.

This week, Ant and J break down one of the most emotional and shocking episodes of Raising Kanan to date. The conversation centers around Marvin's heartbreaking death, Kanan's continued transformation into the character fans know from the original Power, and whether Rock's empire has officially reached the point of no return.

The guys discuss Jukebox's revenge, Stefano tightening his grip on the streets, and why every decision Rock has made this season seems to be closing in around her. They also debate whether prison, death, or disappearing into retirement remains Rock's most likely fate before Power: Origins begins.

As always, the listeners come through with thoughtful voice notes, leading to conversations about Makai Curtis' standout performance as Kanan, Sasha Penn's writing throughout the series, and why Raising Kanan has entered the conversation alongside some of television's greatest crime dramas. The hosts also discuss the symbolism throughout the episode, the show's treatment of family, loyalty, and violence, and share their predictions heading into next week's series finale.

To close out the episode, Ant and J preview the upcoming finale, recommend several shows currently worth watching, discuss the behind-the-scenes tension between Courtney Kemp, 50 Cent, and Omari Hardwick during the original Powerrun, and explain why ego can sometimes get in the way of great television.

If you're caught up on Raising Kanan, this is a full spoiler discussion you won't want to miss.

🎙️ Watch and listen to This Week In Culture wherever you get your podcasts.

This Week In Culture – Episode 525 | Raising Kanan Season 5 Episode 6 Review

This week, Ant & J are back talking Raising Kanan, and after six episodes, they're asking a question they never thought they'd ask: Is this the best final season they've ever watched?

The guys spend a lot of time giving flowers to the writers, discussing how patiently this story has been built over five seasons and why so many storylines are finally paying off. Instead of relying on shock value, Raising Kanan continues to reward viewers who have been paying attention from the very beginning.

The conversation dives into Marvin's incredible character arc, Raq showing a side of herself we've rarely seen, Kanan's continued evolution, and why Breeze, Snaps, Pop, and Stefano all seem to be pushing the story toward an inevitable collision. Along the way, Ant & J revisit old Power theories, connect callbacks from earlier seasons, and debate what the final two episodes could have in store.

As always, the conversation goes beyond just recapping the episode. The guys talk about long-term storytelling, why patience in television writing still matters, and what separates Raising Kanan from the rest of the Power Universe. They also discuss whether the series is setting a new standard for how prequels should be written and why they're already preparing for what could be an unforgettable finale.

With only two episodes left, the expectations couldn't be any higher.

Tap in for another spoiler-filled conversation.

This Week In Culture – Episode 524 | The Chi Season 8 Finale Review

After eight seasons, it's time to talk about The Chi.

This week, Ant & J break down the Season 8 finale and have an honest conversation about what worked, what didn't, and how they'll ultimately remember one of the longest-running Black dramas on television.

The guys discuss the biggest moments from the finale, the fallout from Rob's murder, the resolutions for Emmett, Keisha, Bakari, Reg, Nuck, Alicia, and the rest of the cast, and whether the ending delivered on everything the season had been building toward. Along the way, they debate a few creative decisions, revisit predictions they made throughout the season, and ask whether the finale earned its emotional moments.

The conversation eventually turns into a larger discussion about The Chi's legacy. Where does it rank among modern Black television? How should fans remember the show's evolution from its early seasons to where it is today? And what does eight seasons of success say about Lena Waithe's impact on television?

As always, the guys keep it honest—giving credit where it's deserved, criticizing what didn't work, and reflecting on the characters and storylines that kept them coming back week after week.

Eight seasons. Countless conversations. One final review.

Tap in for our spoiler-filled discussion of The Chi Season 8 finale.

This Week In Culture – Episode 523 | The Chi Season 8 Episode 9 Review

With just one episode left, Ant & J are back breaking down the penultimate episode of The Chi, and the conversation quickly becomes about more than just Episode 9. The guys discuss whether the series is doing enough to set up its ending, what storylines still need to be resolved, and whether the show can deliver a satisfying conclusion after eight seasons.

They dive into the latest developments surrounding Emmett, Keisha, Reg, Bakari, Nuck, Alicia, and the fallout from Rob’s murder, while debating which character arcs have earned their moments and which ones still feel unfinished. Along the way, they question a few creative decisions, give credit where it’s due, and try to piece together what the finale could have in store.

As always, the conversation goes beyond a scene-by-scene recap. Ant & J talk about the legacy of The Chi, Lena Waithe’s impact on Black television, and where the series ultimately belongs in the conversation of modern Black dramas. They also invite listeners to weigh in ahead of next week’s finale as they prepare to look back on the show’s entire run—not just Season 8.

With the end finally here, the guys ask the biggest question of all: Can The Chi stick the landing?

Tap in for another spoiler-filled conversation.

This Week In Culture – Episode 522 | The Chi Season 8 Episode 8 Review

This week, Ant & J are back talking The Chi, and with only two episodes left, it finally feels like the season is building toward something.

The guys spend a lot of time unpacking the fallout from Rob’s murder and the impossible position Emmett finds himself in. Is it finally time to tell Keisha the truth? Would keeping the secret actually make things worse? And if the truth comes out, who does it destroy first?

The conversation also dives into Tiffany’s emotional journey, Bakari’s continued growth, Reg’s role in everything that’s unfolding, and why some of the show’s strongest moments continue to come from the quieter character interactions instead of the street drama. Ant & J debate whether The Chi is finally paying off storylines it’s been building all season or if it’s still leaving too much on the table.

As always, the discussion goes beyond just recapping the episode. The guys question character decisions, revisit a few long-running theories, react to the Episode 9 trailer, and try to piece together how everything could come together before the finale. They also discuss Detective Toussaint’s investigation, whether the walls are finally closing in, and why next week’s episode might end up being the best of the season.

With the wedding approaching, secrets getting harder to keep, and the investigation picking up steam, it finally feels like the show has some real momentum.

Tap in for another spoiler-filled conversation.

This Week In Culture – Episode 521 | Raising Kanan Season 5 Episode 5 Review

This week, Ant & J are back talking Raising Kanan, and by the end of the episode they come to one conclusion: this might be the best season the Power Universe has ever produced.

The guys break down an episode they felt was nearly flawless, discussing the few moments that didn't quite work before diving into everything else the show got right. From Kanan's continued growth and the long-awaited introduction of Breeze, to Marvin quietly becoming one of the best characters on television, there's plenty to unpack.

The conversation explores what Breeze's arrival could mean for the rest of the series, why Snaps and Pop continue to steal every scene they're in, and how Stefano's next move could change the balance of power. Ant & J also debate whether Lou has finally found some peace, what Famous' future looks like, and why the writers continue to reward patient viewers by paying off storylines they've been building for seasons.

As always, the discussion goes well beyond a scene-by-scene recap. The guys compare this season to the rest of the Power franchise, revisit long-running fan theories, give flowers to the cast, and explain why Raising Kanan continues to separate itself from every other show in the universe.

Is this officially the best season of Power? Is Breeze exactly who fans hoped he'd be? And where does the story go from here?

Tap in for another spoiler-filled conversation.