Jim, Nick and Callum discuss whether it's possible to keep enjoying art and media after learning problematic truths about their creators. Topics include JK Rowling, Woody Allen, Warren Ellis and Orson Scott Card. Spoilers for Transmetropolitan.
Jim and Nick discuss how different ways audiences engage with media affects their narrative expectations. Spring-boarding off the Steven Universe finale, we touch on shipping, prioritising world-building versus character development and fan fixation on granular details. Minor spoilers for Steven Universe.
Jim and Nick discuss media that references other media for fans' sakes, spring-boarding off of the recent return of Doctor Who fan favourite the Master. Spoilers for Doctor Who, Star Trek: Into Darkness, Rise of Skywalker.
Jim and Nick discuss how change affects fan relationships to media. Topics include the Guilty Gear series, Half Life, Dynasty Warriors, Glove and Boots, Time Splitters and, inevitably, Star Wars. (Note: This was recorded before the release of Rise of Skywalker)
Jim and Callum (and the world) did not like the 2019 film adaptation of the Goldfinch. We discuss we the film failed to capture the emotional heart of the book and various approaches for how to fix it. Spoilers for the Goldfinch and, oddly, Fight Club.
Nick, Callum and Jim discuss how games teach you to play them and tangent onto how our various learning styles affect how we play Super Smash Bros.
Callum sets Jim and Nick a homework assignment. We all show and tell a piece of media that time, wisdom and experience has changed our readings on. Spoilers for The Social Network, Logan, Avengers: Endgame, Invincible.
Jim and Nick discuss the merits and pitfalls that come with satisfying fans. Tangents include comparing Marvel to Friends and the merits of the Star Wars prequels. Spoilers for Avengers: Infinity War, How I Met Your Mother and Star VS The Forces of Evil.
Jim and Callum discuss pulitzer-winning author Donna Tartt and the chagrin some critics feel about the popularity of The Goldfinch. Unsurprisingly, spoilers for The Goldfinch.
Jim, Nick and Callum respond to Steven Spielberg's complaints that Netflix movies shouldn't be eligible for Acadamy Awards. Guest starring Storm Gareth.
Jim, Nick and Callum respond to comments made in the New Statesman podcast, about innovation–or lack thereof–in modern video games.
Jim, Nick and Callum discuss media with political messages, if it's possible for media to be apolitical and why people criticise when it isn't. Spoilers for The Crimes of Grindelwald and Avengers: Infinity War.
Jim and Callum discuss remakes, when they work and when they don't. There's also tangents about George Lucas and the way narratives surrounding media influence public opinion. Spoilers for The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo
Jim, Nick and Callum discuss portrayals of violence in media, how it should be handled, if there is such a thing as too much and whether creators have a responsibility to portray violence in a certain way. Spoilers for John Wick 1 + 2, The Crow, Drive, Adventure Time and The Revenant.
Jim and Callum season finales, as a sequel to our episode on Pilots (episode 7). We talk about the benefits and pitfalls of TV shows that change and the importance of understanding what makes the show the show. Spoilers for The Sopranos, Friends, Breaking Bad, Regular Show and Star Wars: The Force Awakens.
Jim and Nick discuss the value of the source material in adaptations, but quickly get off track and end up exploring a thought experiment of how to adapt Half Life into film.
Jim and Nick are grownups who watch cartoons. We discuss why animation is so often intended for children, touching on the increase in complexity in children's media and how adult animation tries to distinguish itself.
Jim and Nick both love Bloodborne. We discuss difficulty in video games, whether a game can be too difficult to be engaging and if a game with no challenge still counts as a game.
Jim, Nick and Roy talk about how to identify the popular reaction to media, whether you should trust it and what to do when you find yourself at odds with it. Roy's podcast - Saddest Night Out https://soundcloud.com/saddestnightout Charlie's band - Patchwork Skies http://patchworkskiesband.wixsite.com/music
Jim and Nick talk about villains and antagonists and how they have changed. A few wild tangents include the development of James Bond, T'Challa as a modern hero and how Ready Player One is just awful.
Jim and Nick loved The Last Jedi, but a lot of people didn't. We discuss why the film was so polarising and what that means for the fandom and the future of Star Wars.
Jim and Callum discuss the specific challenges involved with writing pilot episodes of TV shows and end up talking about how structure works and how it has changed and how to respond to the note to make characters more "likeable".
Jim and Nick use Tim Burton's Sweeney Todd as a method to discuss the difficulties of adapting stories between mediums and struggle to stay on topic.
Jim and Nick talk about the ways video games tell stories and whether there is a better way of fitting narratives into open environments. We touch on the balance between handholding players and leaving players feeling lost and how much a narrative matters in a game. Games discussed include the Witcher, the Metal Gear Solid series, Grand Theft Auto, Nioh, Dark Souls, AER: Memories of Old, Fahrenheit, Alien: Isolation, Destiny and Burnout.
Jim and Rob discuss No Man's Sky, the video game that proved not even an infinite universe is enough to keep players from getting bored. We discuss why the game received an underwhelming reception and if it's possible to fix it.
Jim and Nick try to talk about fan theories, and end up covering the mainstream, surreal comedy, animation, the relationship between creators and their audience and all the things Nick hates. Spoilers for Steven Universe, Adventure Time, Rick and Morty, Doctor Who and Don't Hug Me I'm Scared.
Jim and Nick talk about arguing with strangers on the internet, touching on strategies of debate, fandom, language and, somehow, the Middle East.
Jim, Rob and Rachel talk about how good Wonder Woman (2017) was and what it means for the future of Justice League.
