Ricky and Dirk employ the help of their pal, Steve, to attempt the seemingly impossible task of explaining J.R.R. Tolkien's fantasy mythological-history of Middle Earth in The Silmarillion.  Steve establishes his unshakable Dwarf fandom.  Dirk tells Dave a bedtime story about revenge and bloodlust.  Ricky is faced with his own mortality.  Dave discovers that he has a lot in common with the lord of all Evil.

Ricky and Dirk pull a sci-fi hat trick by forcing a sleepy Dave listen to them geek out about John Scalzi's Starship-Troopers-adjacent novel, Old Man's War. Ricky sings a Gregorian battle hymn. Dirk gives us all a lesson on the properties of time-space. Dave. Has. His. Mind. BLOWN. (And loves it.)

Ricky and Dirk try to paint a word picture for Dave of one of their favorite real-time strategy games of all time, Starcraft. Ricky admits some things about Jim Raynor that he probably wishes he could take back. Dirk goes online. Dave has some ground-breaking ideas concerning Zerg family trees, and also enjoys a delicious Marino's Cherry Italian Ice.

BONUS: Listen for a special word from our first sponsor, 'Water Up Dawg', during the break!

Ricky and Dirk try to paint a word picture for Dave of one of their favorite real-time strategy games of all time, Starcraft. Ricky admits some things about Jim Raynor that he probably wishes he could take back. Dirk goes online. Dave has some ground-breaking ideas concerning Zerg family trees, and also enjoys a delicious Marino's Cherry Italian Ice.

BONUS: Listen for a special word from our first sponsor, 'Water Up Dawg', during the break!

Ricky and Dirk try to explain the widely influential cult classic cyberpunk, sci-fi anime film Akira, to Dave. Ricky describes his dream jacket. Dirk screams the lead characters names over and over for an hour. Dave reveals he would like to be the leader of a very warm-hearted biker gang. Everyone struggles comically trying to pronounce Japanese words.

Ricky and Dirk try to explain the widely influential cult classic cyberpunk, sci-fi anime film Akira, to Dave. Ricky describes his dream jacket. Dirk screams the lead characters names over and over for an hour. Dave reveals he would like to be the leader of a very warm-hearted biker gang. Everyone struggles comically trying to pronounce Japanese words.

Friend of the podcast, Steve, joins us as Dave takes over and tries to explain to Dirk and Ricky how to be a man. He uses the appropriate film, Rambo: First Blood, as a medium to get across such points as: Which directions should stabbing flow in? How much oil should you use when showing off ripped pecs? And how do you cook ravioli THE RIGHT WAY?

This was probably a huge mistake.

Friend of the podcast, Steve, joins us as Dave takes over and tries to explain to Dirk and Ricky how to be a man. He uses the appropriate film, Rambo: First Blood, as a medium to get across such points as: Which directions should stabbing flow in? How much oil should you use when showing off ripped pecs? And how do you cook ravioli THE RIGHT WAY?

This was probably a huge mistake.

Ricky and Dirk do their best to start explaining Stephen King's sprawling western-fantasy-scifi-horror-adventure series, The Dark Tower, to Dave. He admits that it's the first story he could possibly get into (if he could read). Dirk manages to talk about The Wheel of Time. Ricky mindlessly brings back the controversial game, 'Dave Talks'. Dave gets REALLY DEEP about THE WORLD.

Ricky and Dirk do their best to start explaining Stephen King's sprawling western-fantasy-scifi-horror-adventure series, The Dark Tower, to Dave. He admits that it's the first story he could possibly get into (if he could read). Dirk manages to talk about The Wheel of Time. Ricky mindlessly brings back the controversial game, 'Dave Talks'. Dave gets REALLY DEEP about THE WORLD.