Decoding TV

In this episode of the Decoding TV podcast, David and Patrick dive into the latest episodes of The Last of Us and The Rehearsal.Is Max’s rebrand back to HBO Max one of the worst instances of corporate brand destruction ever? Are we excited about the new Alien: Earth series launching this summer? And why does David hate the marketing for James Gunn’s Superman so much? Listen to us discuss all these questions and more!Homework for next week:The Last of Us Season 2 episode 7 (HBO)The Rehearsal Season 2 episode 6 (HBO)Shownotes:06:30 - TV NewsHBO Max Lives! Max to Change Its Name Back After Two Years‘Alien: Earth’ Sets August Release Date Plus 10 Images and Plot Details Revealed‘Fallout’ Renewed for Season 3 Ahead of Season 2 Premiere in December‘Game of Thrones’ Spinoff ‘A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms’ Shifts to 2026 Release39:30 - The Last of Us Season 2Ep 6 - The Price1:14:00 - The Rehearsal Season 2Ep 5 - WashingtonLinks:Listen to Patrick’s videogame podcast, Remap RadioSubscribe to Patrick’s newsletter, CrossplaySubscribe to this podcast on YouTubeFollow this podcast on InstagramFollow this podcast on TiktokSubscribe to David’s free newsletter, Decoding EverythingFollow David on InstagramFollow David on Tiktok

In this bonus episode of Decoding TV, David and Patrick Willems discuss the final three episodes of Andor Season 2:Ep 10 - Make It StopEp 11 - Who Else Knows?Ep 12 - Jedha, Kyber, ErsoWhat did we think of how this show connected to the events of Rogue One? Were we happy with how the show wrapped up the stories of characters like Bix and Luthen? What are our closing thought on the series as a whole? Listen to hear us discuss all these questions and more.You can also watch our convo on YouTube:

In this episode of the Decoding TV podcast, David and Patrick dive into the latest episodes of The Last of Us and The Rehearsal.It feels like there’s not gonna be enough time to tell a complete story in this season of The Last of Us. Where does episode 5 leave our characters? Is there any possibility the Harry Potter PR tour is going to turn around? Are we excited about a revamp of the Netflix homepage? And did we really need to launch a Max app in the first place? Listen to us discuss all these questions and more!Homework for next week:The Last of Us Season 2 episode 6 (HBO)The Rehearsal Season 2 episode 5 (HBO)Shownotes:01:30 - TV News‘Shogun’ Season 2 to Begin Production in January 2026Netflix Plans Major Overhaul of Homepage Design, OpenAI-Powered Search and TikTok-Style Vertical FeedsMax Purges Over 200 Seasons of Television As It Pivots Back to the HBO BrandJ.K. Rowling Says ‘I Wouldn’t’ Fire Paapa Essiedu From HBO’s ‘Harry Potter’ for Supporting Trans Rights: ‘I Don’t Have the Power’ and ‘Wouldn’t Exercise It If I Did’HBO Exec Promises ‘Harry Potter’ Series ‘Not Secretly Being Infused’ With J.K. Rowling’s Anti-Trans Rhetoric38:00 - The Last of Us Season 2Ep 5 - Feel Her Love1:11:00 - The Rehearsal Season 2Ep 4 - KissmeLinks:Listen to Patrick’s videogame podcast, Remap RadioSubscribe to Patrick’s newsletter, CrossplaySubscribe to this podcast on YouTubeFollow this podcast on InstagramFollow this podcast on Tiktok

In this bonus episode of Decoding TV, David and Patrick Willems discuss the next three episodes of Andor Season 2:Ep 7 - MessengerEp 8 - Who Are You?Ep 9 - Welcome to the Rebellion?This batch probably has some of the most intense action in Star Wars ever put to film. We also got some actual Star Wars references to things like the Force and other iconography. What did we think of Syril Karn’s arc this season? How did we feel about Mon Mothma’s big moment? Have stormtroopers and droids ever looked more terrifying? Listen to hear us discuss all these questions and more.

In this episode of the Decoding TV podcast, David and Patrick dive into the latest episodes of The Last of Us and The Rehearsal.What do we think of The Last of Us’s depiction of Seattle? How did we feel about how this week’s episode moved Ellie and Dina’s relationship along? And was Nathan Fielder’s The Rehearsal this week an act of insanity of genius? Listen to us discuss all these questions and more!Homework for next week:The Last of Us Season 2 episode 5 (HBO)The Rehearsal Season 2 episode 4 (HBO)Shownotes:01:00 - The Last of Us Season 2Ep 4 - Day One46:30 - The Rehearsal Season 2Ep 3 - Pilot’s CodeLinks:Listen to Patrick’s videogame podcast, Remap RadioSubscribe to Patrick’s newsletter, CrossplaySubscribe to this podcast on YouTubeFollow this podcast on InstagramFollow this podcast on TiktokSubscribe to David’s free newsletter, Decoding EverythingFollow David on InstagramFollow David on Tiktok

In this bonus episode of Decoding TV, David and Patrick Willems discuss the next three episodes of Andor Season 2:Ep 4 - Ever Been to Ghorman?Ep 5 - I Have Friends EverywhereEp 6 - What a Festive EveningWe’ll be doing a podcast episode for each of the four Andor drops.This batch introduces us to the world of Ghorman. What parallels is the show trying to draw between the Ghormans and our world? Have we ever seen Luthen more light-hearted than in these episodes? And how do we feel about the state of the Karn/Meero #karntent at this point? Listen to hear us discuss all these questions and more.Links:Subscribe to Patrick’s YouTube channelRead Dan Gvozden’s recap of these episodesSubscribe to this podcast on YouTubeFollow this podcast on InstagramFollow this podcast on TiktokSubscribe to David’s free newsletter, Decoding EverythingFollow David on InstagramFollow David on Tiktok

In this episode of the Decoding TV podcast, David and Patrick discuss what’s happening in the world of television, then dive into the latest episodes of The Last of Us and The Rehearsal.Is Max a streaming service that is impossible to cancel? Why is Netflix so opposed to theatrical filmgoing? And what responsibility do actors have in accepting roles for shows with controversial figures involved? Listen to us discuss all these questions and more!Homework for next week:The Last of Us Season 2 episode 4 (HBO)The Rehearsal Season 2 episode 3 (HBO)Shownotes:01:30 - TV NewsMax prepares to crack down on password sharingBill Hader to Co-Write, Potentially Star in Jonestown Series in Development at HBO60 Minutes explains the resignation of Bill OwensTed Sarandos says stuffJohn Lithgow Didn’t Expect Backlash35:30 - The Last of Us Season 2Ep 3 - The Path1:08:00 - The Rehearsal Season 2Ep 2 - Star PotentialLinks:Listen to Patrick’s videogame podcast, Remap RadioSubscribe to Patrick’s newsletter, CrossplaySubscribe to this podcast on YouTubeFollow this podcast on InstagramFollow this podcast on TiktokSubscribe to David’s free newsletter, Decoding EverythingFollow David on InstagramFollow David on Tiktok

In this Decoding TV bonus episode, David and Patrick discuss what they thought of The Pitt’s debut season, what their favorite subplots were, and what they’d like to see in a second season of the show (which has already been renewed).Links:Listen to Patrick’s videogame podcast, Remap RadioSubscribe to Patrick’s newsletter, CrossplaySubscribe to this podcast on YouTubeFollow this podcast on InstagramFollow this podcast on TiktokSubscribe to David’s free newsletter, Decoding EverythingFollow David on InstagramFollow David on Tiktok

In this bonus episode of Decoding TV, Patrick Willems returns to the podcast to discuss the first three episodes of Andor Season 2. We’ll be doing an episode for each of the four Andor drops.This season has a much different feel than the first season. What are our thoughts on the structure of the show so far? What did we think of each of the separate plotlines? How do we feel about Disney’s release strategy for the season? And most importantly: Is the Karntent this season any good? Listen to hear us discuss all these questions and more!Links:Subscribe to Patrick’s YouTube channelRead Dan Gvozden’s recap of these episodesSubscribe to this podcast on YouTubeFollow this podcast on InstagramFollow this podcast on TiktokSubscribe to David’s free newsletter, Decoding EverythingFollow David on InstagramFollow David on Tiktok