Talking Tropes Podcast - podcast cover

Talking Tropes Podcast

Talking Tropes Podcastsoundcloud.com
A Podcast about writing cliches, their origins, and their impacts on the stories we tell. Just two cousins with enough trope to hang themselves. Follow us on twitter @TalkingTropes
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Episodes

Avatar the Last Korra 16: Filler Time

Making your way in the avatar world today takes everything you got. Taking a break from all your worries sure would help a lot. It's time to stop the plot and take a shot. It's filler time baby. Also, everyone's favorite boomer aunt, Lin Beifong gets a terrible backstory. Let's do it. B2 E15 Tales of Ba Sing Se B2 E16 Appa’s Lost Days B3 E5: The Metal Clan B3 E6: Old Wounds

Nov 18, 20191 hr 19 min

TT Mini 2: She-Ra Season 4

Our She-Ra hot takes are scalding! We've got thoughts about all your faves: Scorpia, Double Trouble, Catra- wait a minute are we Team HordeTM now? You'll have to listen to find out! What are your thoughts? Tweet them to us @TalkingTropes on Twitter, we'd love to chat! Spoilers for all She-Ra seasons 1-4. Thanks to our editor Logan, who you can find around the interwebz @LoganMcHollow!

Nov 14, 201932 min

Avatar the Last Korra #15: Big Bad Ba Sing Se

Ba Sing Se? More like NAH Sing Se. We find our heroes in both series in the Impenetrable City! Mr. Avatar, TEAR DOWN THIS WALL!!! ATLA Book 2 Ep 12: The Serpent’s Pass ATLA Book 2 Ep 13: The Drill ATLA Book 2 Ep 14: City of Walls and Secrets Korra Book 3 Ep 3: The Earth Queen Korra Book 3 Ep 4: In Harm’s Way

Nov 04, 20191 hr 23 min

Talking Tropes #39: The Spooky Truth About Halloween

Hauntober? Hallowscream? Spooktacular? When did All Hallow's Eve become so...gibberish? And more importantly, how has this affected television programming and advertising? Is Halloween the most commercial holiday? Also, what's your costume supposed to be? All these questions and more will be answered...or will they? Thanks to Logan for editing this one! Spoilers for various Halloween specials and movies. HAPPY HALLOWEEN

Oct 28, 20191 hr 8 min

Avatar the Last Korra #14: AT THE LIBRARY!!!

Look out! It's Korra book 3 and is Korra actually good now? But uh-oh, there might be some problematic titles referencing "Birth of a Nation" and comparing attacking spirit vines to racial integration? Oops. Meanwhile, we have a spectacular two-parter in Avatar with The Library and The Desert. Will we ever see Appa again?1?!?! Obviously yes, but you'll have to keep listening to find out what we think. ATLA B2 E10 "The Library" ATLA B2 E11 "The Desert" Korra B3 E1 "A Breath of Fresh Air" Korra B3...

Oct 21, 20191 hr 12 min

Talking Tropes #38: Podling Puppet Pals (Dark Crystal Discussion)

Snopes gave this podcast 3 Pinocchios because of all the PUPPET TALK! We just finished Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance on Netflix and there's some disagreement. Does this prequel capture the "ESSENCE" of the original? Obviously, spoilers abound. Tweet at us @talkingtropes to let us know what you think of puppets and Jim Henson movies. Thanks to Logan for editing this one!

Oct 14, 201956 min

Avatar the Last Korra #13: Korrazilla

Korra gets BEEEEEEG. It's the SEASON FINALE of Korra and we have a big Kaiju fight...but why? Meanwhile Toph gets mad screentime and Zuko yells at a cloud. ATLA B2E8 The Chase ATLA B2E9 Bitter Work Korra B2E13 Darkness Falls Korra B2E14 Light in the Dark

Oct 07, 20191 hr 10 min

Talking Tropes #37: Bridezillas

It's her special day, and her rage can topple buildings. We're looking at the problematic trope of the mythic "Bridezilla," betrothed women who supernaturally destroy through their avarice for fancy dresses and ice sculptures. Can our plucky grooms survive? Tweet at us @talkingtropes to let us know your thoughts. Spoilers for: 27 Dresses Bride Wars Very Bad Things My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic Boy Meets World Gilmore Girls Sabrina the Teenage Witch Scrubs Buffy the Vampire Slayer 30 Rock C...

Sep 30, 20191 hr 29 min

Avatar the Last Korra #12: Can you SMELL what the BOULDER is COOKING?

Aang finds his earthbending teacher, Toph in a WWE Smackdown. Zuko re-enacts classic western "Shane," and Bumi re-enacts modern classic "Rambo: Last Blood." A good time is had by all, but with the Korra finale fast approaching, could this season actually get WORSE? Spoilers for: Avatar Book 2 Episode 6: The Blind Bandit Avatar Book 2 Episode 7: Zuko Alone Korra Book 2 Episode 11: Night of a Thousand Stars Korra Book 2 Episode 12: Harmonic Convergence

Sep 23, 20191 hr 19 min

TT Mini: Steven Universe The Movie

Garnet, Amethyst, Pearl, aaaaaaaaaaaaand SADNESS! Let's watch some Steven Universe action, some of the boppinest jams, and questionable moral lessons in Steven Universe: The Movie! Tweet at us @talkingtropes if you had any thoughts on this episode. Let us know if you want to see more minis!

Sep 18, 201936 min

Avatar the Last Korra #11: Drain the Swamp

WHAT ARE YOU DOING IN MY SWAMP!!! Spoilers for: Avatar Book 2 Episode 4: The Swamp Avatar Book 2 Episode 5: Avatar Day Korra Book 2 Episode 9: The Guide Korra Book 2 Episode 10: A New Spiritual Age Follow us on twitter @talkingtropes

Sep 09, 201959 min

Talking Tropes #36: Endgame Tropes

A little late, let's talk about Endgame! When will the Game End? Why does the End have so much Game? Who is the Game Ender? Where are the Games: on the front or rear End? What Game are you playing with my rear End? Find out on Talking Tropes: ENDGAME!

Sep 02, 20191 hr 8 min

Avatar the Last Korra 10: It's a Wanderful Life

We get a blast from the past this week, as both Avatar and Korra explore what the avatar state truly is and where bending comes from, in somehow entirely contradictory ways. This episode is JAM PACKED with content 'cause we've got even more Aladdin parallels, singing hippies in a "cave of wonders", neutral jing, shipping, and more! Find us on Twitter or Patreon @TalkingTropes! Thanks to our editor Logan Mcbride! You can find him around the internet @LoganMcHollow.

Aug 26, 20191 hr 23 min

Talking Tropes #35: I'll take Game Show Sketches for 500, Please

We're back with special guest, brother, and cousin Matt Frank to discuss formulaic writing in Sketch Comedy. Today, we're focusing on sketches that take place during Game Shows. These are some of the funniest and most bizarre sketches you'll ever see, but is the cliché losing its laughability? Let's find out on WHEEL OF TROOOPES!

Aug 19, 201954 min

Avatar the Last Korra 9: It's Nuk-Terrible

As we delve further into Korra we finally get to talk about everyone's favorite topic: War Profiteering and Propaganda! Meanwhile, Avatar manages to wrap up all of it's plot lines for Book 1: Water in a climactic battle for the soul of the North Pole. Avatar Book 1 Episode 19: The Siege of the North, Part 1 Avatar Book 1 Episode 20: The Siege of the North, Part 2 Korra Book 2 Episode 5: Peacekepers Korra Book 2 Episode 6: The Sting

Aug 12, 20191 hr 16 min

Avatar the Last Korra 8: Social Justice Benders

The Gaang gets WOKE, tackling cultural appropriation, colonization, and the most overtly feminist episode so far! Meanwhile, Korra starts to build a confused Iraq war allegory while highlighting everything we hate about these characters in Captain Korra: Civil War. Book 1 Ep 17: The Northern Air Temple Book 1 Ep 18: The Waterbending Master Korra Book 2 Episode 3: Civil Wars Part 1 Korra Book 2 Episode 4: Civil Wars Part 2

Jul 29, 20191 hr 11 min

Talking Tropes #34: Case Study - Black Mirror Again

What if porn...is bad? What if texting and driving...is bad? What if celebrity holograms...are bad? Check out our deconstruction of the tropes of the latest season of Black Mirror. Spoilers for Black Mirror Season 5 and Black Mirror: Bandersnatch Special thanks to our editor, Logan

Jul 23, 20191 hr 9 min

Avatar the Last Korra 7: Sokka's Bar Mitzvah

MAZEL TOV! Sokka, today you are a man. Also, Jeong Jeong makes his first appearance. On the Korra side of things, we're finally starting BOOK 2: Spirits, so you know it's groan central. Eska the abusive princess, Varrick the original anime Howard Hughes, Unalaq the totally not evil uncle, and a whole slew of new plot points and retcons are coming. Let's get spiritual! Book 1 Ep 15: Bato of the Water Tribe Book 1 Ep 16: The Deserter Korra Book 2 Episode 1: Rebel Spirit Korra Book 2 Episode 2: The...

Jul 15, 201954 min

Talking Tropes #33: Spider-Man Far From Home, a Coda on the MCU

To round out our ultimate ranking of Spider-Man films from earlier this year, we did the heard work and went to see Spider-Man: Far From Home and... well... I mean did you see those end credit scenes tho?!?!! Find us on Twitter @TalkingTropes to request a review, a trope, or just to yell at us for all our wrong opinions! Thanks to Logan McBride for editing! Find him around the Interwebs @LoganMcHollow.

Jul 08, 201959 min

Avatar the Last Korra 6: ENDGAME

It's inevitable! Korra Endgame is this years biggest blockbuster. Does Amon's motivation finally make sense? Meanwhile, the Blue Spirit is one of Zuko's most famous episodes, but does anyone remember that the plot centers around frozen frogs? Book 1 Ep 13: The Blue Spirit Book 1 Ep 14: The Fortuneteller Korra Book 1 Episode 11: Skeletons in the Closet Korra Book 1 Episode 12: Endgame

Jun 24, 201953 min

Talking Tropes #32: J.J. Abrams Opens the Mystery Box

WHAT'S IN THE BOX! Let's take a look at the J.J. Abrams oeuvre and dissect its most distinctive trope, the mystery that seems to go nowhere. Is the mystery box necessarily disappointing? Why is it so common in his writing? Will any of these questions be answered or will this podcast end up being purgatory the whole time? I dunno! Spoilers for Alias Felicity Lost Star Wars Star Trek Fringe Special thanks to our editor, Logan!

Jun 10, 201956 min

Avatar the Last Korra 5: Fartbenders and Flashbacks

In The Last Airbender, we look at what some say is the worst episode of book one. In Korra we have bloodbending and fartbending. Which is more horrifying to watch? Right now it's time for tons of flashbacks and nothing of substance. ATLA: Book 1 Episode 11 "The Great Divide" ATLA: Book 1 Episode 12 "The Storm" LoK: Book 1 Episode 9 "Out of the Past" LoK: Book 1 Episode 10 "Turning the Tides"

Jun 03, 201956 min

Talking Tropes Episode #31: Let's Go to the BEACH BEACH

Everyone loves a good 70's sex romp, so much so that it spawned an entire genre of sitcom episode - THE BEACH EPISODE! For Memorial Day Weekend we're talking everything beachy, from Friends to Happy Days, Phineas and Ferb to It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia, we're covering it all. Also, btw Anime is cancelled. If you enjoyed please be sure to subscribe and you can find us on Twitter @TalkingTropes and on Patreon also at Talking Tropes. Thanks to our editor Logan McBride who you can find across ...

May 27, 20191 hr 8 min

Avatar the Last Korra 4: Unless it's from Pirates

It's Katara time boys. Lot's of development going on here. And on the Korra side of things we get the real start of the new team Avatar. Does Asami ever become more than just a boring side character/love interest? We will get there... ATLA: Book 1 Episode 9 "The Waterbending Scroll" ATLA: Book 1 Episode 10 "Jet" LoK: Book 1 Episode 7 "Aftermath" LoK: Book 1 Episode 8 "When Extremes Meet"

May 20, 201957 min

Talking Tropes #30: KIDZ RULE

Remember when KIDZ used to RULE? What happened? Why won't Nickelodeon take over my school? Millennial used to believe that kids rule and adults drool, so this is what happens when we grow up. Let's take a look at the real political message of 90s nostalgia tropes. Thanks to our editor Logan for this one!

May 14, 20191 hr 14 min

Avatar the Last Korra 3: The Shippening

A love triangle rears its ugly head in Korra while Aang and the gaang learn about spirit worlds and ticking clocks. Spoilers for the following episodes: ATLA: Book 1 Episode 6 "Imprisoned" ATLA: Book 1 Episode 7 "Winter Solstice, Part 1: The Spirit World" ATLA: Book 1 Episode 8 "Winter Solstice, Part 2: Avatar Roku" LoK: Book 1 Episode 5 "The Spirit of Competition" LoK: Book 1 Episode 6 "And the winner is..."

May 06, 20191 hr 17 min

Avatar the Last Korra 2: The Return of Jafar

The Avatar the last Korradventure continues! Let's watch Aang struggle with the terror of being ignored by a pretty girl, Sokka battles the forces of his own sexism, and Korra battles the evils of contrived romantic subplots. Spoilers for the following episodes: ATLA: Book 1 Episode 4 "The Warriors of Kyoshi" ATLA: Book 1 Episode 5 "The King of Omashu" LoK: Book 1 Episode 3 "The Revelation" LoK: Book 1 Episode 4 "The Voice in the Night"

Apr 29, 20191 hr 8 min

Talking Tropes #29: Is this a Crossover Episode!?

This week, we're joined by the voices of AP Marvel, Chris and Anthony (@compenderizer and @thePizzaTaco on twitter). We put together a crossover episode about all our favorite crossovers, shared universes, and spin-offs. We also give a few pitches for future crossovers that may be outside of the norm. Topics: Justice League Avengers Jimmy Timmy Power Hour That's So Sweet Life of Hannah Montana Rugrats Go Wild! Power Rangers meet the TMNT and so much more...

Apr 22, 20191 hr 39 min

Talking Tropes #28: Military Intervention... in Film!

From Homeland to Cup Cake Wars, it seems like the US Military has funded movies and TV shows in almost every genre across the decades. So our big question is ... Does this feel icky to you? We're diving into how the military got mixed up in film making, what their goals are, and recounting some of the ways they've influenced some of your favorite pieces of media. Follow us on Twitter @talkingtropes Thanks to our editor Logan McBride, who you can find across the internet @LoganMcHollow!

Apr 15, 20191 hr 8 min

Avatar the Last Korra #1 They Said "Sexist" in a Kid's Show?

Flameo my fellow hotmen! We're embarking on an unforgettable journey, recapping Avatar the Last Airbender AND The Legend of Korra at the SAME TIME. Expect lots of comparisons between the original and the sequels as well as breakdowns of the tropes and how they affect the story. This podcast covers ATLA: Book 1 Episode 1 "The Boy in the Iceberg" ATLA: Book 1 Episode 2 "The Avatar Returns" ATLA: Book 1 Episode 2 "The Southern Air Temple" LoK: Book 1 Episode 1 "Welcome to Republic City" LoK: Book 1...

Apr 08, 20191 hr 27 min
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