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Decoding TV

Analyzing the latest and greatest in TV

CURRENTLY COVERING: The White Lotus, Andor.In Decoding TV, David Chen (@davechensky) is joined by critics and friends like Roxana Hadadi (@roxana_hadadi), Patrick Willems (@patrickhwillems), Siddhant Adlakha (@siddhantad
Latest Episode3/22/2023

Succession Season 3 Look-Back and Season 4 Preview

This episode is brought to you by Nissan - EVs that electrify. Succession is back this Sunday for a fourth and final season! I’m so pleased to be able to bring you weekly coverage of the show featuring my A Cast of Kings co-host Kim Renfro.In this special season 4 preview episode, we discuss:Why is it we love Succession so much?Where we left off with each of the Roy characters at the end of season 3Jesse Armstrong’s comments on why he wanted to end the showWhere we think season 4 will wrap upWhere we want to see each of the Roys end upThe biggest jettisoned plotlines from earlier on in the showAnd much more!I’m grateful to Kim for being willing to join me as Succession comes to a thrilling close, and grateful all Decoding TV paid members for making this podcast possible. I hope you can join us!Links:The New Yorker: Jesse Armstrong explains why the show is endingFollow Kim on TwitterFind Kim’s work at InsiderFollow this podcast on InstagramFollow this podcast on TiktokSubscribe to this podcast on YouTubeSubscribe to David’s free newsletter, Decoding Everything
3/22/2023

Succession Season 3 Look-Back and Season 4 Preview

This episode is brought to you by Nissan - EVs that electrify. Succession is back this Sunday for a fourth and final season! I’m so pleased to be able to bring you weekly coverage of the show featuring my A Cast of Kings co-host Kim Renfro.In this special season 4 preview episode, we discuss:Why is it we love Succession so much?Where we left off with each of the Roy characters at the end of season 3Jesse Armstrong’s comments on why he wanted to end the showWhere we think season 4 will wrap upWhere we want to see each of the Roys end upThe biggest jettisoned plotlines from earlier on in the showAnd much more!I’m grateful to Kim for being willing to join me as Succession comes to a thrilling close, and grateful all Decoding TV paid members for making this podcast possible. I hope you can join us!Links:The New Yorker: Jesse Armstrong explains why the show is endingFollow Kim on TwitterFind Kim’s work at InsiderFollow this podcast on InstagramFollow this podcast on TiktokSubscribe to this podcast on YouTubeSubscribe to David’s free newsletter, Decoding Everything
3/18/2023

The Last of Us Season 1 Post-Mortem

This episode is brought to you by Nissan - EVs that electrify. Thanks for a great season of TV recapping! We’ll be recapping Succession next so stay tuned for more episodes of the podcast.In this Decoding TV bonus episode about The Last Of Us, David and Christian discuss topics such as:Listener/viewer reactions to the seasonThe realism of the season finaleThe philosophical questions in the discourseWhat we think season 2 of the show might look like (spoilers are clearly marked)And much more!Links:Email us at decodingtv(AT)gmail(DOT)comFollow this podcast on InstagramFollow this podcast on TiktokSubscribe to this podcast on YouTubeSubscribe to Christian Spicer’s newsletter, Let’s Chat GamesCheck out Christian Spicer’s videogame podcast, DLCSubscribe to David’s newsletter, Decoding Everything
3/13/2023

The Last of Us S1E09 - Look for the Light

This episode is brought to you by Nissan - EVs that electrify. Thank you for listening this season! We’ve loved making this podcast for you. We’ll be doing one additional bonus episode next week responding to feedback and other thoughts on season 1 so please stay tuned. In this episode of Decoding TV, David Chen and Christian Spicer discuss season 1 episode 9 of The Last Of Us, “Look for the Light.”Joel and Ellie wrap up their journey for the season. But how well does this ending work? Do we think Kiss Kiss Bang Bang could’ve prevented the tragedy that takes place in this episode? And at the end of the day, what do we think this show is trying to say about love and grief? Listen to hear us discuss all this and more!Links:Email us at decodingtv(AT)gmail(DOT)comFollow this podcast on InstagramFollow this podcast on TiktokSubscribe to this podcast on YouTubeSubscribe to Christian Spicer’s newsletter, Let’s Chat GamesCheck out Christian Spicer’s videogame podcast, DLCSubscribe to David’s newsletter, Decoding Everything
3/6/2023

The Last of Us S1E08 - When We Are In Need

This episode is brought to you by Nissan - EVs that electrify. In this episode of Decoding TV, David Chen and Christian Spicer discuss season 1 episode 8 of The Last Of Us, “When We Are In Need.”A new character illustrates a different element of the post-apocalypse. But how believable is the character of David? What do we make of Joel’s turn this episode? And how amazing is Bella Ramsay in this episode? (Spoiler: Extremely!). We discuss all this and more on this week’s episode.Links:Email us at decodingtv(AT)gmail(DOT)comFollow this podcast on InstagramFollow this podcast on TiktokSubscribe to this podcast on YouTubeSubscribe to Christian Spicer’s newsletter, Let’s Chat GamesCheck out Christian Spicer’s videogame podcast, DLCSubscribe to David’s newsletter, Decoding Everything
2/27/2023

The Last of Us S1E07 - Left Behind

This episode is brought to you by Nissan - EVs that electrify. In this episode of Decoding TV, David Chen and Christian Spicer discuss season 1 episode 7 of The Last Of Us, “Left Behind.”A detour takes us away from the main timeline of the series. How well does it work in at this point in the story? How does it compare to the game? What does it teach us about Ellie’s life and her relationship to others? And what is this show trying to say about FEDRA anyways? Listen to hear us discuss all this and more.Links:Email us at decodingtv(AT)gmail(DOT)comFollow this podcast on InstagramFollow this podcast on TiktokSubscribe to this podcast on YouTubeSubscribe to Christian Spicer’s newsletter, Let’s Chat GamesCheck out Christian Spicer’s videogame podcast, DLC
2/20/2023

The Last of Us S1E06 - Kin

Thanks to our sponsors for this episode:Nissan - EVs that electrifyThe McDonald's app - Download the McDonald's app todayIn this episode of Decoding TV, David Chen and Christian Spicer discuss season 1 episode 6 of The Last Of Us, “Kin.”Joel and Ellie reunite with someone familiar in unexpected circumstances. What is the source of friction between the characters? How will Joel deal with the possibility of getting out of his commitment to Tess? And is Joel going to make it out of this situation alive? Listen to hear us discuss all this and more!Links:Email us at decodingtv(AT)gmail(DOT)comFollow this podcast on InstagramFollow this podcast on TiktokSubscribe to this podcast on YouTubeSubscribe to Christian Spicer’s newsletter, Let’s Chat GamesCheck out Christian Spicer’s videogame podcast, DLCSubscribe to David’s newsletter, Decoding Everything
2/13/2023

The Last of Us S1E05 - Endure and Survive

Thanks to our sponsors for this episode:Nissan - EVs that electrifyThe McDonald's app - Download the McDonald's app todayIn this episode of Decoding TV, David Chen and Christian Spicer discuss season 1 episode 5 of HBO’s The Last Of Us, ‘Endure and Survive’This episode finishes off a two-episode arc as we continue to follow the stories of Kathleen, Henry, and Sam. How good was Henry’s escape plan, exactly? Is Kathleen a compelling character? What does this episode’s script do well (and not)? And what does this show have in common with World War Z? Listen to hear us discuss all this and more!Links:Email us at decodingtv(AT)gmail(DOT)comFollow this podcast on InstagramFollow this podcast on TiktokSubscribe to this podcast on YouTubeSubscribe to Christian Spicer’s newsletter, Let’s Chat GamesCheck out Christian Spicer’s videogame podcast, DLCSubscribe to David’s newsletter, Decoding Everything