“Never breathe in her direction, stay calm, don't vomit.” - Agnes

Kate Winslet returns to HBO to star as Chancellor Elena Vernham in a new political satire about a budding authoritarian regime in Central Europe. Filmed in Vienna and created by Will Tracy, co-writer of The Menu and several episodes of Succession, The Regime was announced in 2022, described as Downton Abbey set in an autocrat's palace. The first episode, "Victory Day," follows a recently-disgraced soldier appointed as the Chancellor’s personal bodyguard, where their relationship quickly evolves into one of codependency. Join us to hear our initial impressions and rating of the pilot. Welcome to Today's Episode!

 FX's long awaited and well promoted adaptation of Shōgun is finally out. Taking us into the tumultuous world of 1600 Japan, the series opens against the backdrop of European religious wars. John Blackthorne, an English navigator who finds himself and his crew imprisoned upon their arrival in Japan. With Spain and Portugal dominating foreign relations, Blackthorne ends up holding unexpected significance in the local power dynamics. 
Amidst the political fragmentation, the fate of Lord Toranaga, a vulnerable yet cunning regent, becomes inexplicably linked to Blackthorne's presence. The adaptation skillfully condenses the epic narrative of the novel. Notable performances include Hiroyuki Sanada as Lord Toranaga, Cosmo Jarvis as Blackthorne, and Anna Sawai as Toda Mariko. With a mix of historical depth and character-driven drama, we spend the podcast discussing plot, comparisons, and the reception. Tune in and enjoy!

On Today's Episode, we're sinking our teeth into the AMC's highly anticipated miniseries The Walking Dead: The Ones Who Live.  Just like Jon Stewart's comeback to the Daily Show, Andrew Lincoln reclaims his throne as the anchor of the TWD franchise in this post-apocalyptic rom-dram. The pilot episode, "Years," aired on February 25th, diving deep into Rick Grimes' journey and his quest to reunite with Michonne.  With an impressive IMDB rating of over 9, we unpack the plot, reveal our impressions, talk about the characters, and check out how the story compares with the comics. Tune in and Enjoy!

"Water. Earth. Fire. Air. Long ago, the four nations lived together in harmony. Then everything changed when the Fire Nation attacked!" - K̶a̶t̶a̶r̶a̶   Gran Gran

On Today's Episode, we discuss our thoughts on the pilot of the new live-action Avatar: The Last Airbender series released on Netflix February 22, 2024. The plot goes something like: 
In a world where nations bend elements, Aang, a young Avatar capable of bending all four, is discovered by siblings Sokka and Katara after being trapped in an iceberg for 100 years, during which the Fire Nation has sought to dominate the world. Escaping Fire Nation's grasp with the help of his new friends, Aang learns of the genocide of his people and the extent of the war. Accepting his destiny as the Avatar, Aang vows to end the Fire Nation's tyranny and restore peace across the nations.

Tune in to hear our comparisons, likes/dislikes, notes on production, etc...
Enjoy!

Noomi Rapace, trading in her hacker chic for a space suit, stars in Apple's latest space series, Constellation.  From the haunting opening scene to a chilling incident aboard the ISS, to the psychological mess that comes from splitting dimensions while deprived of oxygen, this show is nothing if not ambitious.  Released on February 21, each of the first three episodes run the better part of an hour and host a number of familiar faces. Tune in as we recap, discuss production, and compare the themes and scenes to other space-themed dramas. Welcome to Today's Episode!

Meet Colter Shaw, a survivalist with a knack for tracking and a penchant for solving cases. In the pilot post-Super Bowl episode, Shaw (Justin Hartley) takes on the case of a missing child, last seen at a fast-food joint where he was abducted by a man posing as his father – all in pursuit of buried treasure. Along with unpacking the plot of Tracker's debut, we also discuss the title change, the production team, and the source material the character is pulled from. Tune in and enjoy!

In an era where quitting seems more popular than ever, Jon Stewart has reclaimed his throne as the host of The Daily Show, dusting off his Comedy Central anchor desk and grabbing a pen to scribble erroneously while dishing out his unique blend of razor-sharp wit and unyielding social commentary. After enduring a year of revolving guest hosts, two Hollywood strikes, and an ever-turbulent political atmosphere, no doubt the execs at Comedy Central are breathing a sigh of relief. There hadn't been this much drama behind a late-night show since Ken Jennings took over Jeopardy. What is most mind-boggling, however, is that Stewart's grand return could not have happened if not for the perfect set of circumstances, which we dissect in the podcast along with talking about the kick-off of season 29, the production, our thoughts on the reviews, etc... Tune in and enjoy!

Though not the archetypal classic, the 2005 box-office hit "Mr. & Mrs. Smith" has carved its place in cinematic history through brute star power and scandal. Now, its latest incarnation on Amazon Prime promises a fresh take, focusing less on espionage and more on the marriage of two spies working together. Starring Donald Glover ("Atlanta") and Maya Erskine ("Pen15"), this series delves into the complexities of their relationship amidst high-stakes missions.

Join us as we dive into the history of suburban spy comedy-action-thrillers, play some trivia games, and recap the first couple of episodes directed by Hiro Murai. Welcome to Today's Episode!

All is not right in the glitzy streets of Hong Kong according to Amazon Prime's adaptation of Janice Y.K. Lee's 2016 novel "The Expatriates." In this podcast, we discuss the first few hour-long installments exploring the expatriate life of three American women—Hilary, Margaret, and Mercy. From secret affairs to unforeseen tragedy, we identify some of the biggest changes from the original story, share our thoughts on said changes, and delve into how the production came about. Welcome to Today's Episode!

Griselda is the story of the notorious Colombian Drug Lord who practically ruled a criminal empire during the Miami drug wars of the '70s and '80s with an iron fist and a heart as cold as ice. If you're a true-crime aficionado, you're already familiar with her chilling moniker - the Black Widow, or perhaps the Cocaine Godmother. But in this new Netflix series, we discuss the first installment which takes place in 1978 as Griselda takes off with her kids back to the US after murdering her husband in Medellín. Though there's nothing glamorous about the atrocities she committed, the lives she destroyed, Sophia Vergara and the team behind Narcos do their best to infuse some humanity and empathy to this fictionalized dramatization of a true monster. Tune in and Enjoy!