Ep. 255: Our Flag Means Death

This week, Gavia and Morgan dive into the internet television sensation-du-jour, Our Flag Means Death. This pirate comedy stars Rhys Darby as the "Gentleman Pirate" Stede Bonnet, a somewhat hapless newcomer to the scene who's living out his midlife crisis through piracy, and Taika Waititi as Blackbeard, the fearsome rogue who's tired of all that marauding... and gets a new lease on life when he meets Stede. Topics include the show's glorious central love story, its refreshingly unremarked-upon queer supporting cast, a stunningly good central performance by Waititi, and how it succeeds and fails in engaging with history.

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Ep. 238: The School Nurse Files

This week, Gavia and Morgan watch the offbeat fantasy k-drama The School Nurse Files, based on Chung Serang's award-winning novel. Starring Jung Yu-mi as a high school nurse who has the power to see auras and "jellies" that manifest people's feelings, the show feels like a teen dramedy and a zany fantasy show rolled into one. Topics include the show's unique tone and approach, lead actress Jung's refreshingly unglamorous performance, Netflix's global business strategy, and more.

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Episode 221: Marvel's "Loki"

This week, Gavia and Morgan break down Marvel's disappointing Loki show, starring Tom Hiddleston as the titular god of mischief. They discuss the show's failure to escape now-familiar MCU problems, critique its handling of its beloved central character, ponder the state of Tom Hiddleston's career, and more.

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Episode 189: Battlestar Galactica

This week, Gavia and Morgan delve into the world of Ronald D. Moore's Battlestar Galactica: The Miniseries (2003), a childhood favorite of Gav's that Morgan is watching for the first time. They discuss the changes in television storytelling over the last twenty years, the way the show enacts and flouts sci-fi conventions, the superb female characters, and more.

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Episode 178: I May Destroy You

This week, Morgan and Gavia discuss the most critically acclaimed show of 2020, Michaela Coel's I May Destroy You. Coel co-directs, writes, and stars in this rumination on trauma and consent. Topics include the show's masterful command of tone, its digressive storytelling technique and radical approach to telling a story about rape, racism in the British film and television industry, and much more.

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Episode 150: HBO's "Watchmen"

This week, Gavia and Morgan discuss Damon Lindelof's new television adaptation of Alan Moore's classic comic series Watchmen, starring Regina King, Jean Smart, and Tim Blake Nelson. They compare it to Lindelof's previous work, analyze its treatment of politics and race, and contemplate its place in the changing television and superhero landscapes.

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Episode 143: Succession

This week, Morgan and Gavia dive into the best show on television, HBO's Succession. They break down the ethically bankrupt Roy family, discuss the show's treatment of current events and the media, and heap praise upon the show's remarkable ensemble.

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Episode 115: Russian Doll

This week, Gavia and Morgan dive into Netflix's new hit show Russian Doll, starring co-creator Natasha Lyonne and Charlie Barnett. They discuss the show's many allegorical interpretations, its superlative depiction of New York, the different ways we watch television today, and the novelty of Lyonne's exceptional performance.

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Episode 107: It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia

This week, Morgan and Gavia discuss the long-running cult sitcom It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia, which just wrapped up its record-setting thirteenth season. They consider the show as a whole, pick favorite episodes, and effuse over its stellar thirteenth season finale.

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Episode 101: Maniac

This week, Gavia and Morgan go down the rabbit hole of Maniac, the new genre-bending Netflix series from director Cary Fukunaga. They puzzle over the strange casting of Jonah Hill opposite Emma Watson, discuss the success (or failure) of the show's genre pastiches, and bask in the comic genius of Sonoya Mizuno and Justin Theroux.

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Episode 81: Elementary

This week, Gavia and Morgan discuss CBS's long-running Sherlock Holmes procedural Elementary, a topic chosen by Patreon subscribers. They compare the show to other Holmes adaptations, express their admiration for its central cast, and bemoan the state of mainstream Hollywood. [This episode focuses on the finale of Elementary's first season.]

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Episode 79, Black Sails, Part I

This week, Gav is joined by guest hosts Elizabeth Minkel and Natasha Simonova for a very special episode about the pirate drama Black Sails. We explore the historical and literary themes of the show, including its similarities to 17th century Revenge Tragedy, and what "historical fiction" actually means. Spoiler warning: We cover all four seasons, so this is mostly aimed at Black Sails fans rather than new viewers!

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Episode 64: American Vandal

This week, Gavia and Morgan are joined by special guest Mallory Ortberg for a conversation about Netflix's surprise true crime spoof American Vandal. They discuss the show's relationship to true crime, its glorious depiction of dirtbag teens and innovative use of social media, and the relief of watching something that just feels not-terrible.

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Episode 60: Star Trek: Discovery

This week, Morgan and Gavia discuss the new Star Trek show airing on CBS All Access, Star Trek: Discovery. Topics include Gav's longtime Star Trek fandom, how the show diverges from other iterations of the franchise, new star Sonequa Martin, and what's up with those Klingons anyway.

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Episode 52: Silicon Valley

This week, Morgan and Gavia discuss the HBO sitcom Silicon Valley. Topics discussed include, but are not limited to, how the show has changed over time, its painfully accurate satire of Silicon Valley culture, its depiction of male sexuality, and the irresistible genius of Zach Woods.

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Episode 48: American Gods

This week, Gavia and Morgan discuss the new adaptation of Neil Gaiman's classic fantasy novel American Gods. Topics include changes from the book, the show's distinctive style, how it compares to showrunner Bryan Fuller's cult hit Hannibal, and its treatment of race and religion.

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