The dissection of Game of Thrones's Season 5 Meereense plotline, dubbed "Deadpan's Bestest Nameday Gift," because St. Tyrion is the Mary Sue that keeps on giving. Episode breakdown: 0:00 - Introduction & review of fandom names 7:00 - Recap of the S5 plotline 49:15 - Highlights & Lowlights/Hizdahr zo Sansa's resistance narrative 1:04:37 - Analysis Pt 1: there is no protagonist & Daenerys's adaptation 1:17:13 - Analysis Pt 2: Tyrion's adaptation 1:26:40 - Analysis Pt 3: Barry the Scary & everything is meaningless

UBS #7: Deadpan's Bestest Nameday Gift Retrospective

The Game of Thrones-critical and ASOIAF-ethusiast podcast. This is where being a book snob is a good thing.

TV & Film

Comedy

Julia, Kylie, Caroline, and Gretchen name their dragons, define antagonists, and wonder if they're secure in trusting House of the Dragon as they discuss the first season in full.  Please visit TheFandomentals.com for full show notes.  Episode Breakdown0:00 - Intro3:15 - The adjective game & fandom engagement18:45 - HOTD tops itself/the ending25:20  - Missteps, favorites, and Matt Daemon29:40 - Avoid and evade, typical airbender tactics 39:20 - Season structure 51:30 - What's an antagonist?1:02:00 - Liberatory violence1:09:20  - Babes and MMD1:22:30 - The dagger of it all1:32:45 - Are we getting duped again?1:45:45 - Season 2 hopes and dreams1:56:20 - The Aemond of it all2:05:20 - Name your dragon!  

UBS #82 Caroline Was Right (for now)

 Julia, Kylie, Caroline and Bo celebrate Emma D'Arcy stealing the show, while Vhagar fulfills her own Targ destiny in the House of the Dragon season finale, "The Black Queen." Please visit TheFandomentals.com for full episode notes.   Episode Breakdown:  0:00 - Intro, asks, recap, and Florida16:25 - Rhaenyra is practically perfect22:25 - The babe did come :(32:30 - Daemon's spousal support40:20 - Sweet gaming table44:30 - Fucking Otto53:15 - Daemon stans and a terrible ship1:04:05 - A good ship1:14:30 - Ask your doctor about Vermithor1:19:56 - Treat in Kamino1:28:35 - Julia reads from her Kobo1:33:20 - Vhagar makes Visenya proud1:42:15 - Kylie wants to rage-quit1:49:15 - Highlights/lowlights

HotD 1x10 We Did It, Visenya!

Julia, Kylie, and Caroline get out their #girlboss mugs and smash through smallfolk to celebrate the first penultimate season episode for House of the Dragons, 'The Green Council'.  Please visit TheFandomentals.com for full show notes.  Episode Breakdown: 0:00 - Intro & episode recap 12:05 - Struck down in his prime! 21:33 - A zany search sequence 31:42 - The princess in the tower 41:22 - Aegonball 50:10 - Defining 'closer to earth' 55:15 - Feet info exchange 1:06:25 - The plot carries Rhaenys this way! 1:12:50 - Girlbossing the smallfolk to death 1:38:30 - Highlights/lowlights & do we like this story?  

HotD 1x09 Rhaenys Flew Over The Coup Coup Nest

Julia, Kylie, and Caroline reunite with Musa for an awkward family dinner where they toast the 8th episode of House of the Dragon, "The Lord of the Tides". Musa agrees Targs are boring with the exception of one particular edgelord. Please visit TheFandomentals.com for full show notes. Episode Breakdown:0:00 - Introduction & recap22:10 - Julia wants to spoil Fire and Blood20:00 - Mullets and age-bending24:00 - Marie de' Medici and wall porn34:21 - The Alicent that was promised40:00 - Questionable online discourse57:47 - Musa hates boring Targs1:04:45 - Rhaenys needs to monologue her motivations1:13:00 - Stupid prophecy dagger is stupid1:20:15 - Helaena is thinkin' about bugs1:35:00 - Family dinner of fun1:46:10 - Julia reads from her Kobo1:53:53 - Dramatic irony happens!2:03:03 - Highlights/lowlights

HotD 1x08 Toastmasters

Julia, Kylie, and Caroline strain their eyes to watch House of the Dragon episode 7, 'Driftmark' thanks to Miguel Sapochnik, and begin their own familial strife over Alicent's poo face. Please visit TheFandomentals.com for full show notes. Episode Breakdown:0:00 - Intro, asks, and recap12:25 - We're struggling, guys26:10 - Green burial practices35:55 - Miguel Sapochnik turns off the lights39:50 - Caroline ships RhaenyraxDaemon46:10 - Hiccup's first flight51:15 - Kid punching and kobos57:21 - Alicent monologues her motivations1:15:00 - Laenor shows up with Starbucks1:26:55 - We travel to the Fire Nation1:32:35 - Highlights/lowlights

UBS #7: Deadpan's Bestest Nameday Gift Retrospective

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