Needs Some Introduction - Paradise / The Pitt

Mailto:[email protected] Let the dance of the dragons begin... Plus we recap and review the first two episodes of Amazon Prime's new Sci Fi show, The Peripheral

mailto:[email protected] Another mixed reaction to the show which just seemed to have found its rhythm. A lot happens but this show needs to do a lot of work to tie itself together in its final episode. Then, given my family roots in Westfield NJ, I am very disappointed with the Ryan Murphy Netflix adaptation of the true story of The Watcher. I'm sorry if I got you to watch this... or at least I hope you enjoyed it more than I did. You can read the original story on which this was purportedly based in the link below. I have also included some information on the OTHER Westfield mass murder that the show references. https://www.thecut.com/article/the-haunting-of-657-boulevard-in-westfield-new-jersey.html https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_List_(murderer)

Mailto:[email protected] Beware the beast beneath the boards.

Halloween Ends? I hope that's a promise. What a disappointing conclusion and that is given the mostly terrible list of films that preceded it. I do have my own corrections that may have helped to salvage this latest trilogy. Before that, we discuss the totally mediocre Hellraiser re-imagining. And I do have a pretty enthusiastic recommendation to the old-school horror romp of Marvel's Werewolf By Night on Disney+.

mailto:needssomeintroduction.com We have the absolute high point of the series, to date, with an excellent episode that makes some of the shakiest moments in the series worth while. Let's hope the quality only goes up from here. Then we discuss the new Peacock series A Friend of the Family, a high quality affair that, perhaps, should not exist (??). I also briefly review and recommend The Midnight Club on Netlfix. Links: Heavyweight Podcast: https://gimletmedia.com/shows/heavyweight/n8h7ajo/46-dan Jerusalem Post article: https://www.jpost.com/judaism/article-719100

Another time jump may finally get us to our final cast configuration (maybe?). Although often unintentionally funny, the episode is thoroughly eventful. Beware maesters baring the milk of the poppy.

The best episode we have seen of the show. Can it find its way with just 3 episodes to go?

One of the most gorgeous episodes of the show (and so full of ugly human interactions). We have a truly impressive dragon sequence. Let's hope the next time jump is not too jarring.

After getting my hopes up, last week, The Patient is back in a rut. I still have no idea what I am supposed to be paying attention to, at this point. Then two very long conversations about the merits and limitations of Ryan Murphy's Jeffrey Dahmer docudrama on Netflix. It may have its heart in the right place but can't help but be exploitative.

Wait a second? Did we miss a season of TV? This is another excellently crafted episode of TV but I think they dropped a couple of the scripts somewhere. Arguably, the most interesting events may have been left off screen. Let's hope all this time-hopping is worth it. Then I recommend Three Thousand Years of Longing and Celia recommends Modern Love (Amazon Prime).

A much better episode of The Patient, this week. I have some hope that the show has some surprises to come. Plus, Sona and I discuss the vacating of Adnan Syed's conviction. (24:00) Finally, we discuss Do Revenge, a fun (but slight) teen revenge comedy on Netflix. (41:00)

Another solid episode. We don't get a red wedding... but it doesn't go great.

Sona and I have seen a slightly better episode of The Patient, this week. But it may be too little too late for Sona. Then Celia and I break down the very entertaining new horror film, Barbarian.

The show tops itself again with an episode about the power of sex; as a tool, as a commodity and as a weapon.

Sona and I discuss the third episode of The Patient on Hulu. We still cannot get our bearings on this show and we are not enjoying it, so far. The short run time which seemed like a positive, at first, seems to be a limitations, now, with these episodes unable to achieve any momentum before they are over. On a more positive note we discuss Thoroughbreds which has returned to HBO Max. This first film by writer/director features two young actresses that have already begun to emerge as key talents of their generation and introduced a director (and writer) with a lot of talent and promise.

Best episode yet.

Sona and I recap the rocky start to the new Hulu thriller, The Patient.

Another strong episode (in my opinion). The show is finding its footing. Celia has a little less patience for it. I do agree that there is a few too many council meetings.

If you just want to hear the Bodies Bodies Bodies review, jump to 23:00 emailto:[email protected] We make it to the end of the season. I find this season less entertaining, overall, than the first. They needed to tighten up the mystery. Plus, where are the laughs? Everyone feels a little tired. Then I recommend Bodies Bodies Bodies the new A24 mystery, horror, comedy.

We are happy to report that so far, the House of the Dragon gives us all the fan service we would hope for and some meaty new characters. Hopefully, the quality stays high. Plus, I finally get all my ideas of how easily the final season of Game of Thrones could have been fixed. For the rare few that are trying to avoid Game of Thrones spoilers, here are the timestamps for the spoiler-free segment of the podcast episode: 20:00 - 42:00

First, Nick and I discuss the finale of Better Call Saul. I still have conflicted feelings and I can articulate them a bit after few days of reflection. Then we add another song to our musical daisy chain before reviewing the first episode of She Hulk and previewing the massive slate of upcoming MCU content that has recently been announced (and we bash Star Wars again - not my doing, this time).

It comes down to this. Peter Gould writes and directs the series finale. We get a fitting end to Saul/Jimmy's saga.

Black Bird delivers a solid season but with perhaps the weakest episode. It's still worth a watch. Then we add another link to our musical daisy chain before giving a brief positive review of Prey on Hulu and wrap up with a longer discussion of Bo Burnham's Inside project which includes a new set of outtakes which constitute almost an entire new special.

Vince Gilligan gets to write and direct one last episode. It's a good one although more in line with this shows normal low-key rhythms rather than the spectacle of Breaking Bad.

Another excellent episode of the show as we approach the end. After a subdued episode, last week, that seemed to offer Saul a graceful bow out of his trickster background, it seems that he may now be on a bender that seems destined for tragedy.

Timestamps: The Gray Man (12:00) Nope (28:00) Black Bird (38:00) First, I have to announce the the imminent return of Bluey for a third season (a big event at my house). Then I discuss the Russo Brothers $200 million production, The Gray Man from Netflix with Celia. We also get into some more Nope spoilers. Lastly, I break down the latest episode of Black Bird on AppleTV+. Next week Celia and I will be back to discuss the finale as well as the truth and fiction of this "based on a true story" story.

Gene Takovik episodes are not as exciting as Saul Goodman episodes (or Jimmy McGill episodes, for that matter) but maybe that is the point. Plus, many digressions on the value (or lack thereof) of the delicious smelling Cinnabon.

A brief spoiler free Nope review followed by a full critique of the disastrous first season of The Old Man. Then we discuss the far more successful AppleTV+ series, Black Bird which hits its stride this week with a particularly strong episode. Then, I have a spoiler filled analysis if Peele's film and it many themes (maybe too many??). Timestamps: Nope (spoilers? NOPE!) - 5:00 The Old Man - 19:00 Black Bird - 44:00 Nope (spoilers? YEP!) - 55:00

Another very strong episode in this final stretch. We probably now know Kim's fate and we get to see Gustavo at his most unguarded. We also briefly discuss the very entertaining recent episodes of Only Murders in the Building and the musical daisy chain continues.

Time Stamps: Better Call Saul: 6:00 The Boys: 19:00 Stranger Things: 23:00 Ms Marvel: 26:00 Thor Love and Thunder: 30:30 Dr Strange in the Multiverse of Madness: 39:30 The Old Man: 55:00 It's a free ranging conversation this week. We end up spoiling the new Thor movie as well as the first season of Ms Marvel. Plus we wander into the finale of Stranger Things and even spoil Dr Strange 2 and the latest Spiderman movie. Then Celia and I discuss the fourth and fifth episodes of the Old Man, a show that has squandered all the initial good will that we felt for it. Lastly, we discuss the Anthony Bourdain documentary, Roadrunner. https://www.vulture.com/2021/07/the-15-best-episodes-of-anthony-bourdains-parts-unknown.html

Sona and I discuss this very eventful episode of TV. We say goodbye to one of the greatest characters on this show (and maybe EVER).

mailto:[email protected] I don't get what I was hoping for in this season finale but there are some tantalizing threads left dangling as season 4 options. It does often feel like the show continuously reverts to status quo. Plus I have seen the latest Thor and I have opinions. I did enjoy the film in the moment but there was too much comedy and MCU bridge building and too little time developing the actual characters within the movie. This may be the consistent weakness of these phase 4 films.

mailto:[email protected] Sona and I discuss the funny (and surprisingly poignant) reclamation of Bunny Folger as Only Murders in the Building gives her her dignity in presenting her final hours. Then Celia and I discuss The Bear, a very interesting and well executed workplace dramedy that happens to take place in a Chicago deli. This is a show that I would have quit on if it hadn't been for the ability to binge its short run. But in the end it comes together perfectly, like a dish with too many ingredients that shouldn't work... and then somehow, does.

Lots of set up this week... and a few surprises, too. We are still headed for a battle royale, next week but the configurations of the participants looks to be significantly different.

Charles, Mabel and Oliver are back trying to solve Bunny's death. Sona and I are both so surprised to discover the affection we have for these characters. These first 2 episodes are like a warm cup of cocoa. Then Celia and I discuss episode 3 of The Old Man. It is a step down from the previous 2 episodes but still high quality.

mailto:needssomeintroduction.com We get the initial superpowered fistfight between Homelander, Butcher and Soldier Boy... with a little assist from Hughie. Starlight takes to Instagram to expose the chaos that the supes and Vought actually create. Plus lots of weird superpowered sex. Then, Ray and I discuss the season of Obi Wan Kenobi. He sees all the shortcomings but appreciates the nostalgia. I needed more.

Obi Wan Kenobi unfortunately had few tricks up his robe to course correct this mediocre season of TV (and if you are not a Star Wars fan, this is a complete waste of time). On the positive side, I got blindsided by how good the new Jeff Bridges show, The Old Man is. I don't know if the entire show will maintain this quality but as someone who normally bristles at the conventions of a pilot episode, these first two episodes are really stellar. Plus, I recommend Slow Horses again (AppleTV+).

We get a solid episode of The Boys (despite its ridiculous title). Forces are lining up against Homelander. I really do hope he gets some kind of comeuppance this season. Plus I give a pretty decent review of the latest episode of Obi-Wan Kenobi (surprising even myself). And I briefly review Spiderhead on Netflix and include a list of essential episodes of Love Death and Robots, also from Netflix. Escape from Spiderhead by George Saunders: https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2010/12/20/escape-from-spiderhead

Barry ends season 3 with a completely unexpected finale (at least by me). Where can they possibly go in season 4? Plus I recommend Danny Boyle's Sex Pistols docudrama "Pistol"

The Boys puts out an interesting episode this week; a good balance of humor and horror. I am curious to see where this is headed in the second half. Then Nick joins me to discuss what is going on in the Star Wars universe. He is more optimistic than I am (but still pretty negative). Plus, we both really enjoyed the premier of Ms Marvel and I recommend an incredibly innovative micro-budget time travel movie available on Amazon Prime, right now...

Obi Wan Kenobi gets worse and worse. The Shining Girls wraps up its first season and I did like it (although I am not sure I understand it). Plus we talk more Barry and I recommend Hulu/FX's Reservation Dogs once again, in preparation for the upcoming second season.

Barry gets his comeuppance... but still survives. Fuches is in police custody but possibly not for long. Sally's retaliation only takes herself down. Hank is in Bolivia. And the world is Gene's oyster but his connection to Barry may take it all away. I am curious as to how this is going to all play out, next week. I haven't got a clue.

mailto:[email protected] The Boys are back in town. Amazon Prime's signature show is back with more of the same. I do need the show to make some character progress by the end of the season. For now, they are giving us more of the same. And there are hints at possibly interesting directions that the show may take. https://oig.justice.gov/sites/default/files/archive/special/9712/ch01p1.htm As for Obi Wan Kenobi, this may be a slightly better episode but it is hard to tell. I am just not sure, yet, if this is an interesting story to be telling.

Catching up on two Barry episodes. Funny as ever.

Support Uvalde family and victims: https://www.npr.org/2022/05/25/1101161673/how-to-help-uvalde-school-shooting Support Buffalo Victims and Families: https://fortune.com/2022/05/25/how-to-help-buffalo-new-york-uvalde-texas-mass-shootings/ Most Gun Owners Support Stricter Laws — Even NRA Members https://time.com/5197807/stricter-gun-laws-nra/ Three reviews for 3 big nostalgia properties this week. Both Obi Wan Kenobi and Stranger Things have the sad irony of featuring the mass killing of children in this coincidentally ugly week. Top Gun's military culture lust may also cause some to bristle given the current socio economic climate. If you check your socio political barometer at the door you can enjoy all of these. The most successful by far is the Top Gun sequel.

Well there is more than one plan and a multiple executions (depending on your meaning of the term). RIP Howard. This is a great episode and we have a lot to think on in the meantime.

I have seen Alex Garland's latest movie... all of it. I think it is worth a recommendation to a very tiny percent of the population :). Then we delve into the latest episode of Shining Girls. We are finally discovering something about this time traveling murderer. It raises more questions than it answers but in a good way? Lastly we go through this latest excellent Barry episode. We are halfway through the season.

We approach the end... of the middle?

A smorgasbord of content. Barry hits a home run this week. Shining Girls gets on base. Then we break down the finales of both Moon Knight (again) and Ozark (thankfully over). Plus we lavish more praise on this week's Better Call Saul. Barry - Season 3 Episode 3 - ben mendelsohn Shining Girls - Episode 5 - Screamer Ozark - Finale Moon Knight Finale Better Call Saul

Sona and I discuss two very "middle" episodes which are definitely setting up the last two. I expect things will be getting kinda hectic, next week. Lalo is back... and he is up to something.