Michael has been binge-watching a lot of Star Trek , so Mandy and Michael chat about it! Almost everything before the Kelvin-verse movie trilogy is covered (turns out there was so much to talk about that the TNG movies didn’t get much of an explicit mention). The topics in order are: The Original Series The Animated Series The Original Series Movies The Next Generation Deep Space Nine Voyager Enterprise The Kelvin movie trilogy and new Trek beginning with Discovery is not discussed in detail, th...
Jun 21, 2022•2 hr 46 min•Ep. 53
This episode is part of our Trivially Crucial Backlog - Episodes recorded previously and until now left unposted. In this episode the Superman run continues with a single episode for the 3rd and 4th Christopher Reeve Superman films. It’s a severe understatement to say these movies were found to be absolutely ridiculous.
Nov 29, 2020•1 hr 18 min•Ep. 52
Years ago Mandy got Michael to start watching Supernatural, a show with plenty of horror-esque content in its first couple of seasons (Michael doesn't do horror). 15 seasons later it's time to bid adieu to the Winchesters and their 1967 Chevy Impala. In this episode you’ll hear about the finale, sure, but before that you’ll hear much more: Recommendations of what to watch after the first 5 seasons if you don’t want to watch everything in the rough seasons. Opinions on exactly how bad some of the...
Nov 24, 2020•2 hr 1 min•Ep. 51
This episode is part of our Trivially Crucial Backlog - Episodes recorded previously and until now left unposted. For 49 episodes, Mandy and Michael have discussed how important stories are. They reflect the world, they help breed empathy, they help shape world views, and which stories resonate with a person in youth can help explain who a person is in adulthood. This 50th episode is about exploring works with great personal impact across all types of media. It’s about as much a meta episode as ...
Aug 30, 2020•1 hr 45 min•Ep. 50
This episode is part of our Trivially Crucial Backlog - Episodes recorded previously and until now left unposted. Michael and Mandy spend some time chatting about Zatanna as written by Paul Dini, an author also known for his work on Batman: The Animated Series, Tiny Toons Adventures, and a whole lot of comic book writing. Amazon links to works recommended in this episode: Young Avengers Vol. 2 Angela: Asgard’s Assassin Vol. 1 Angela: Queen of Hel: Journey to the Funderworld Dark Knight: A True B...
Aug 23, 2020•1 hr 12 min•Ep. 49
This episode is part of our Trivially Crucial Backlog - Episodes recorded previously and until now left unposted. In this episode Michael and Mandy the power and utility of different storytelling mediums. What they’re good for, how they’ve been used well, and more. Follow us on twitter: @TrivCrucial (The show) @Auhim (Michael) @Brown_Ajah (Mandy)...
Aug 16, 2020•1 hr 36 min•Ep. 48
Michael and Mandy discuss Avengers: Endgame, everything it means, its emotional impact, its plot issues, and hopes for the MCU moving forward.
May 04, 2019•2 hr 31 min•Ep. 47
As we continue catching up, this episode is about Spider-Man: Homecoming. There's a lot of Spider-Man background and MCU meta-commentary before discussion of the film even begins, followed by plenty of Spoiler-free content.
Jan 02, 2018•1 hr 34 min•Ep. 4
This episode covers Guardians of the Galaxy, Vol. 2 and how it signals odd views on parenthood, redemption, adorable baby tree goofiness, and everything the group of misfits gets up to.
Dec 26, 2017•1 hr 34 min•Ep. 45
Mandy and Michael discuss Star Wars Episode VIII: The Last Jedi bout 3 hours after Michael finished watching it on opening weekend. Listen to them working through initial thoughts even as they inevitably would change (and have changed) over the course of the next few days.
Dec 20, 2017•1 hr 40 min•Ep. 44
We're finally back with a much delayed live recording from Dragon*Con 2017. We go through the con day by day!
Dec 17, 2017•1 hr 7 min•Ep. 43
This 42nd episode discusses the only thing that could possibly be appropriate: Douglas Adams's The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy in its many forms. Spoilers, which don't matter in the slightest, are as abundant as logical holes and differences between releases of the story. Bring your towel, hit play, and whatever you do–Don't Panic! Check out Douglas Adams's cookie story (both versions!): Text Video Follow us on twitter: @TrivCrucial (The show) @Auhim (Michael) @Brown_Ajah (Mandy)...
Jul 04, 2017•59 min
Mandy and Michael talk about the brand new 2017 Wonder Woman , with only a few hours to have processed and thought about the movie after seeing it on opening weekend. If you're on the fence about seeing the movie, the first 24 minutes are spoiler free and may persuade you to watch the film sooner rather than later. Follow us on twitter: @TrivCrucial (The show) @Auhim (Michael) @Brown_Ajah (Mandy)...
Jun 04, 2017•1 hr 37 min
Mand and Michael discuss three classic short stories from Isaac Asimov, celebrating the quotation from which the show gets its name. “Individual science fiction stories may seem as trivial as ever to the blinder critics and philosophers of today — but the core of science fiction, its essence, the concept around which it revolves, has become crucial to our salvation if we are to be saved at all.” — Isaac Asimov Isaac Asimov, The Complete Stories, Vol. 1 ( Amazon Link ) Short stories online links ...
May 29, 2017•1 hr 33 min
Mandy and Michael resume their journey through the history of DC Comics in film, this time focusing on the Man of Steel's film adventures that essentially kicked off big budget superhero films altogether: The original 1978 Superman and its closely intertwined 1980 sequel Superman II . Follow us on twitter: @TrivCrucial (The show) @Auhim (Michael) @Brown_Ajah (Mandy)...
May 02, 2017•1 hr 17 min
In this episode Mandy and Michael continue going through the Wheel of Time with books 4 and 5 in the series: The Shadow Rising and The Fires of Heaven . Michael's discovery continues while Mandy is able to do more than just listen in frustration. If you're following along, the next Wheel of Time episode (to be recorded at an unknown date) will cover novels 6-8: Lord of Chaos , A Crown of Swords , and The Path of Daggers . Follow us on twitter: @TrivCrucial (The show) @Auhim (Michael) @Brown_Ajah...
Apr 04, 2017•1 hr 43 min
Mandy and Michael continue going through the Batman films with the Schumacher directed entries: 1995's Batman Forever and 1997's Batman & Robin . After the last Batman discussion some of the feelings on these films are surprising! Follow us on twitter: @TrivCrucial (The show) @Auhim (Michael) @Brown_Ajah (Mandy)...
Mar 22, 2017•1 hr 12 min
Mandy and Michael discuss the two Tim Burton directed Batman films, 1989's Batman and 1992's Batman Returns . Feelings are very different across these two films, their characters, and the interesting choices made by a director who has a very distinct style and no loyalty to the source material. Follow us on twitter: @TrivCrucial (The show) @Auhim (Michael) @Brown_Ajah (Mandy)...
Feb 27, 2017•1 hr 13 min
This week Mandy and Michael talk about the first three novels in Robert Jordan's epic (in scope and length) series, The Wheel of Time . These three books are: The Eye of the World The Great Hunt The Dragon Reborn Michael is new to the series while Mandy grew up with it so two very different perspectives make for quite the conversation! Follow us on twitter: @TrivCrucial (The show) @Auhim (Michael) @Brown_Ajah (Mandy)...
Feb 14, 2017•1 hr 56 min
Mandy and Michael talk about Rogue One, the first of what is likely to be many Star Wars anthology films. As the first non-numbered Star Wars film, what are the implications for the wider universe and general Star Wars enjoyment to come? Follow us on twitter: @TrivCrucial (The show) @Auhim (Michael) @Brown_Ajah (Mandy)
Jan 30, 2017•1 hr 35 min
Mandy and Michael chat about the first movie in the Harry Potter universe without a book predecessor. There's a lot to unwrap for the movie and the universe as a whole! Follow us on twitter: @TrivCrucial (The show) @Auhim (Michael) @Brown_Ajah (Mandy)
Jan 16, 2017•1 hr 12 min
Starting blooper included! In time for Christmas, Mandy and Michael synchronized a viewing of The Muppet Christmas Carol and chatted at the same time. To listen to this, get the Theatrical release of the movie (iTunes, DVD, etc.) and sync up your viewing according to instructions spoken aloud in the podcast. *Warning* Make sure any features of your podcast application that affect playback speed are disabled! Follow us on twitter: @TrivCrucial (The show) @Auhim (Michael) @Brown_Ajah (Mandy)...
Dec 19, 2016•1 hr 37 min
Netflix's third Marvel show, Luke Cage , is the topic du jour. It's a powerful show relevant to modern race discussions with an unapologetic focus on Harlem as representation of Black America. Come for the superficial superhero discussion, stay for the intense social themes, and enjoy Michael and Mandy disagreeing at length on the nature of evil. This first season of Luke Cage comes highly recommended, so go watch it if you haven't yet. Follow us on twitter: @TrivCrucial (The show) @Auhim (Micha...
Dec 05, 2016•1 hr 59 min
Magic and Sorcery makes its biggest impact in the MCU yet with Doctor Strange, and Michael and Mandy talk all about it. The film did a lot right while missing some major opportunities at the same time. It has plenty of material to talk about. The duo also does an Infinity Stone count to see where we stand as the MCU marches ever onward towards a central conflict with the incredible power of the Infinity Gauntlet. Follow us on twitter: @TrivCrucial (The show) @Auhim (Michael) @Brown_Ajah (Mandy)...
Nov 21, 2016•1 hr 26 min
Mandy and Michael have a fun discussion in which they draft their favorite villains from all sorts of movies, games, television shows, book series, and comics. It's fun and kind of random! This idea was outright cribbed from the excellent podcast, The Incomparable . These are some of Michael's favorite draft (and draft-ish) episodes of the show: The Incomparable 55 - If a Show Never Airs, Can It Be Cancelled? (Cancelled TV Shows) The Incomparable 58 - Greyskull Anonymous (TV Fantasy Draft) (TV C...
Nov 07, 2016•54 min
Mandy and Michael talk about the first season of CBS's Supergirl just before the start of Season 2. They talk about aliens, love triangles, awkward production approaches, silly plot points, questionable writer decisions, and the most lovable pair of cross-universe superheroes this side of… anywhere! Follow us on twitter: @TrivCrucial (The show) @Auhim (Michael) @Brown_Ajah (Mandy)...
Oct 25, 2016•1 hr 55 min
Mandy and Michael discuss Harry Potter and the Cursed Child , the new play that picks up during the Epilogue of the original book series. There are wonderful things to love about the story as well as many things that cause discomfort in unwelcome ways. The discussion eventually takes a turn on the very nature of "canon" and differing opinions on how much control a creator has in defining it. Follow us on twitter: @TrivCrucial (The show) @Auhim (Michael) @Brown_Ajah (Mandy)...
Oct 17, 2016•1 hr 29 min
*Note* If your podcast app supports chapter markers, you can use that feature to jump between show conversations. In honor of the just-resumed Spring TV season, Mandy and Michael chat about all of Marvel's TV up to this point! This was recorded before the airing of Luke Cage or Season 4 of Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D and covers every Marvel show up to that point. Discussed, in order: Agents of Shield, Agent Carter, Daredevil, Jessica Jones. Follow us on twitter: @TrivCrucial (The show) @Auhim...
Oct 03, 2016•1 hr 40 min
Mandy and Michael record live from Dragon*Con in Atlanta! This episode was recorded in meandering chunks across the Con weekend. It's pretty random, just like the con itself! Follow us on twitter: @TrivCrucial (The show) @Auhim (Michael) @Brown_Ajah (Mandy)
Sep 14, 2016•1 hr 44 min
Mandy and Michael talk about all three Ghostbusters films: the first two from the 80s and the recent estrogen-bolstered relaunch of the franchise. The films are talked about one by one, so feel free to listen to commentary about the first two and stop there if you haven't yet seen the newest film in the series. Follow us on twitter: @TrivCrucial (The show) @Auhim (Michael) @Brown_Ajah (Mandy)...
Aug 30, 2016•1 hr 44 min
