Decoding TV

In this episode of Decoding TV, David Chen and Patrick Klepek run down what’s going on in the world of TV and discuss the fourth episode of The Acolyte and the first three episodes of The Boys fourth season.Are fewer people watching House of the Dragon this year? Why did Jon Stewart leave Apple TV+ anyway? Are we excited about a film adaptation of Three-Body Problem? And has The Boys gotten too woke recently? Listen to hear us discuss all these questions and more!Homework for next week:The Acolyte Ep 5 (Disney+)The Boys Season 4 Ep 4 (Prime Video)Shownotes:00:02:30 - The Curse ending behind-the-scenes00:05:15 - House of the Dragon ratings00:15:50 - Jon Stewart’s exit from Apple TV+00:24:17 - Zhang Yimou’s Three-Body Problem movie00:30:00 - The AcolyteEpisode 4 - Day01:00:05 - The BoysEpisode 1 - Department of Dirty TricksEpisode 2 - Life Among the SepticsEpisode 3 - We’ll Keep the Red Flag Flying HereLinks: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 episode of Decoding TV, David Chen and Patrick Klepek run down what’s going on in the world of TV and discuss the season premiere of The Acolyte.What do we make of the new price increases to Max? How has culture war stuff influenced writing about Star Wars? Why is Netflix still being so weird about the renewal of 3 Body Problem? And are we excited for a new series based on Like a Dragon: Yakuza? Listen to hear us discuss all these questions and more!Homework for next week:The Acolyte Ep 3 (Disney+)Bonus: The Boys Season 3 finaleShownotes:00:19:54 - Max Prices Going Up00:23:46 - Leslye Headland Hopes the Force Is With the Acolyte00:31:33 - 3 Body Problem Will Return for Seasons 2 and 300:37:15 - Like a Dragon: Yakuza Live Action Series00:45:44 - The AcolyteEpisode 1 - Lost/FoundEpisode 2 - Revenge/JusticeDave’s Nitpick CornerLinks:Listen to Patrick’s videogame podcast, Remap RadioSubscribe to Patrick’s newsletter, CrossplayFollow 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 Decoding TV, David Chen and Patrick Klepek run down what’s going on in the world of TV and discuss the season (series?) finale of The Sympathizer (Max).What do we think about Jeffrey Wright being cast in the same role in the TV version of The Last of Us season 2? What’s the difference between Marvel Television and Marvel Spotlight? And are we psyched for a Damon Lindelof show about Green Lantern? Listen to hear us discuss all these questions and more!Homework for next week:The Acolyte Eps 1-2 (Disney+)Shownotes:00:03:05 - Jeffrey Wright cast as Isaac in Last of Us Season 200:13:38 - Marvel’s rebranding of its TV Shows00:38:10 - Damon Lindelof is on board the Green Lantern TV show00:49:30 - The SympathizerEpisode 7 - Endings Are Hard, Aren’t They?Links:Listen to Patrick’s videogame podcast, Remap RadioSubscribe to Patrick’s newsletter, CrossplayFollow 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 Decoding TV, David Chen and Patrick Klepek run down what’s going on in the world of TV and discuss the sixth episode of The Sympathizer (Max) and the first season of X-Men ‘97 (Disney+).Why should you definitely watch Scavengers Reign when it hits Netflix in late May? Like really? (Seriously). What do we make of Netflix’s weird announcement for more episodes of 3-Body Problem? And what is it that X-Men ‘97 gets so right about the Marvel universe and about the X-Men themselves? Listen to hear us discuss all these questions and more!Homework for next week:The Sympathizer Ep 7 (Max)Shownotes:00:01:30 - Comcast’s Streamsaver bundle is $15/month00:06:50 - Scavengers Reign is cancelled at Max but not on Netflix00:18:24 - Shogun seasons 2 and 3 are in development00:26:30 - More episodes of 3-Body Problem are happening under mysterious circumstances00:38:30 - The SympathizerEpisode 6 - The Oriental Mode of Destruction01:04:15 - X-Men ‘97 Season 1Links:Listen to Patrick’s videogame podcast, Remap RadioSubscribe to Patrick’s newsletter, CrossplayFollow 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 Decoding TV, David Chen and Patrick Klepek run down what’s going on in the world of TV and discuss the fifth episode of The Sympathizer (Max) and the final three episodes of Baby Reindeer (Netflix).How do we feel about Netflix’s latest efforts to get into live programming? Which streaming bundle are we looking forward to the most? Why can’t Paramount+ get any love? Is there still life left in The Office as a franchise? Are we excited about another season of Mr. and Mrs. Smith? And what about season 2 of Shogun for that matter? Listen to hear us discuss all these questions and more!Homework for next week:The Sympathizer Ep 6 (Max)X-Men ‘97 Season 1 (Disney+)Shownotes:00:01:30 - Netflix’s big moves into live TVNFL gets Christmas day football00:17:00 - Begun, the streaming bundle wars haveMax bundling with Disney+/HuluPeacock bundling with Netflix/Apple TV+00:26:00 - The Office Reboot00:33:30 - Mr and Mrs Smith Season 2 and The Boys season 500:36:15 - Shogun Season 2 is in development00:43:00 - The SympathizerEpisode 5 - All For One01:00:00 - Baby ReindeerEpisode 5Episode 6Episode 7Links:Listen to Patrick’s videogame podcast, Remap RadioSubscribe to Patrick’s newsletter, CrossplayFollow 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 Decoding TV, David Chen and Patrick Klepek run down what’s going on in the world of TV and discuss the fourth episode of The Sympathizer (Max) and the first four episodes of Baby Reindeer (Netflix).How are studios navigating tricky situations when beloved cast members pass on? Does Cobra Kai really need to be split into three separate parts? What’s the best way to advertise to kids these days anyways? Is there such thing as an anti-war film in the world of The Sympathizer? And why is Baby Reindeer so damn good at unraveling its story? Listen to hear us discuss all these questions and more!Homework for next week:Baby Reindeer Eps 5-7 (Netflix)The Sympathizer Ep 5 (Max)X-Men '97 Season 1 (Disney+)Bonus Ep: Sugar Season 1 (Apple TV+)Shownotes:00:06:00 - Gen V will not recast Chance Perdomo00:13:00 - Cobra Kai’s release schedule00:28:30 - The SympathizerEpisode 4 - Give Us Some Good Lines00:56:00 - Baby ReindeerEpisode 1 Episode 2 Episode 3 Episode 4 Links:Listen to Patrick’s videogame podcast, Remap RadioSubscribe to Patrick’s newsletter, CrossplayFollow 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 Decoding TV, David Chen and Patrick Klepek run down what’s going on in the world of TV and discuss the third episode of The Sympathizer (Max) and the rest of season 1 of Fallout (Prime Video).Is 65 million viewers actually a lot when it comes to a streaming service? How embarrassed does the OG Emily Stone feel about taking Emma Stone’s SAG name? What other famous people just aren’t being clear about their real names and pronunciations? What do we think The Sympathizer is trying to say about being an American? And what did we think of the rest of season 1 of Fallout on Prime Video? Listen to hear us discuss all these questions and more!Homework for next week:Baby Reindeer Eps 1-4 (Netflix)The Sympathizer Ep 4 (Max)Bonus Ep: Invincible Season 2 Part 2 (Prime Video)Shownotes:00:01:30 - Fallout gets 65 million viewers00:08:33 - THR’s cover story about The Curse00:26:45 - The SympathizerEpisode 3 - Love It Or Leave It51:15 - Fallout Season 1Episode 4 - The GhoulsEpisode 5 - The PastEpisode 6 - The TrapEpisode 7 - The RadioEpisode 8 - The BeginningLinks:Listen to Patrick’s videogame podcast, Remap RadioSubscribe to Patrick’s newsletter, CrossplayFollow 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 Decoding TV, David Chen and Patrick Klepek run down what’s going on in the world of TV and discuss the season 2 premiere of ‘The Jinx,’ the first two episodes of The Sympathizer (Max) and the season 1 finale of Shogun (Hulu/FX).How big of a deal is Fallout these days? Why do people keep trying to remake Oldboy? Is it worth watching The Jinx: Season 2 even if you haven’t seen The Jinx: Season 1? What did we make of the mishmash of tones in The Sympathizer? And does Shogun season 1 stick the landing in its finale? Listen to hear us discuss all these questions and more!Homework for next week:Fallout Season 1 (Prime Video)The Sympathizer Ep 3 (Max)Shownotes:00:01:30 - Fallout renewed for season 200:07:33 - Oldboy TV series00:12:50 - There was more Bluey after all00:18:00 - The Jinx: Season 2Episode 2 - Why Are You Still Here?00:41:30 - The SympathizerEpisode 1 - Death WishEpisode 2 - Good Little Asian1:03:30 - ShogunEpisode 10 - A Dream of a DreamA list of callbacksShogun vs. Real LifeLinks:Listen to Patrick’s videogame podcast, Remap RadioSubscribe to Patrick’s newsletter, CrossplayFollow this podcast on InstagramFollow this podcast on TiktokSubscribe to David’s free newsletter, Decoding EverythingFollow David on InstagramFollow David on Tiktok