Decoding TV

In this episode of Decoding TV, David Chen and Patrick Klepek discuss everything that’s happening in the world of TV. Then, they dig into episode 8 of The Penguin and Act I of Arcane Season 2.Is the making of Game of Thrones really like a marriage? Did The Penguin stick the landing with its brutal finale? How wildly successful is Euphoria season 3 going to be? Is Jason Sudeikis delusional about Ted Lasso season 3? Is Arcane still one of the best shows on TV? Listen to hear us discuss all these questions and more.Homework for next week:Dune: Prophecy season premiere (Max)Arcane Season 2 Act II (Netflix)Bonus Ep: Disclaimer (Prime Video)Shownotes:19:00 - 70 million people on Netflix’s ad tier23:35 - HBO/Max News‘The Penguin’ Finale Scores Series High 2.1 Million ViewersHBO Boss on ‘House of the Dragon’ Criticism‘Euphoria’ Season 3 Moving Forward With Production This January With 8-Episode Season34:00 - Jason Sudeikis Rails Against ‘Ted Lasso’ Season 3 Haters: ‘They Don’t Have Imaginations’41:30 - The Penguin Ep 8 - A Great or Little Thing01:13:15 - Arcane Season 2 Act ILinks: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

Patrick and David are traveling this week so today we have an abridged bonus episode about The Penguin, delivered to you earlier than usual.Tonight’s episode of The Penguin had some pretty explosive material! We get a flashback to Oz’s childhood, but what did it do to illustrate who he ends up becoming? What do we think of where Sofia’s arc is taking her? And what is Tim Burton doing in this version of the Batman universe? Listen to hear us discuss all this and more!Homework for (the week after) next week:The Penguin Episode 8 (Max)Arcane season 2 premiere (Netflix)Interior Chinatown season premiere (Hulu)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 Decoding TV bonus episode, Jessie Earl joins Patrick and David to discuss and spoil the second season of The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power.Did we think the second season was better or worse than the first? How would we rank the disparate plotlines? Did we buy the relationship between Celebrimbor and Sauron? What did we think of the appearance of characters like Tom Bombadil? What are we looking forward to in season 3? Listen to hear us discuss all these questions and more!Links:Subscribe to Jessie Earl’s YouTube showCheck out Jessie’s movie, IdentiteazeSubscribe to Patrick’s newsletter, CrossplayEmail us at Decodingtv(AT)gmail(DOT)comFollow us on Tiktok at tiktok.com/@decodingrealitySubscribe to David’s free newsletter, Decoding Everything

In this episode of Decoding TV, David Chen and Patrick Klepek discuss the newly released trailers for Severance and Interior Chinatown and explore the latest news and announcements. Then, they dig into episode 5 of The Penguin and episode 7 of Agatha All Along.Homework for next week:The Penguin Episode 6 (Max)Agatha All Along Episode 8 (Disney+)The Rings of Power Season 2 (Prime Video)Shownotes:05:09 - Escape from Dannemora is now on Netflix07:41 - New TrailersSeverance Season 2 (January 17, 2025)Interior Chinatown (November 19, 2024)14:27 - Renewals/Upcoming ShowsShogun Co-Creator Justin Marks Inks New Overall Deal at FXCarrie TV Series From Mike Flanagan in the Works at AmazonBeef Season 2 Officially a Go at Netflix28:37 - John Turturro on Turning Down The Penguin36:40 - The PenguinEp 5 - Homecoming1:03:50 - Agatha All AlongEp 7 - Death’s Hand In MineLinks: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 discuss the series premiere of Disclaimer and run down what’s going on in the world of TV. Then, they dig in to episode 4 of The Penguin and episode 6 of Agatha All Along. This week we saw two shows that had flashback episodes depicting the backstory of a seemingly secondary character. Which one did we find most effective? Did Alfonso Cuarón’s Disclaimer hook us or leave us cold? Are we excited for John Mulaney to return to the world of late night TV? And which recent renewals are we most excited by? Listen to hear us discuss all these questions and more!Homework for next week:The Penguin Episode 5 (Max)Agatha All Along Episode 7 (Disney+)Shownotes:01:30 - Initial thoughts on Disclaimer on Apple TV+12:45 - Amazon Prime Video is adding Apple TV+ as a channel14:45 - Netflix orders new John Mulaney live weekly talk show in 202520:04 - Renewals and CancellationsSlow Horses Renewed for Season 6 at AppleTV+Apple TV+ Releases Silo Season 2 TrailerInvincible Season 3 will premiere on February 6 with no midseason breakCulinary Class Wars renewed for second season at NetflixThe Diplomat renewed for season 3You will grow old waiting for your favorite TV show34:30 - The Penguin Ep 4 - Cent’Anni01:17:00 - Agatha All Along Ep 6 - Familiar By Thy SideLinks: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, @joyofnapping returns to discuss and spoil the fourth season of Slow Horses, which just aired its season finale.What did we think were the best and worst elements of this season? What storylines were invented for the show and how did they play out? How was Hugo Weaving as the main villain? What plot threads are we looking forward to being developed next season? Listen to hear us discuss all these questions and more!Links:Follow Joy on ThreadsEmail us at Decodingtv(AT)gmail(DOT)comFollow us on Tiktok at tiktok.com/@decodingrealitySubscribe to David’s free newsletter, Decoding Everything

In this episode of Decoding TV, David Chen and Patrick Klepek discuss the series premiere of The Franchise, chat about some TV renewals and cancellations, and assess the role of toxic fandom in our culture. Then they dig in to episode 3 of The Penguin and episode 5 of Agatha All Along.Can The Franchise rise above the inside jokes of Hollywood to become a hit? What do a series of high profile renewals and cancellations say about the state of the television industry? Can The Penguin continue strong world building while ignoring the existence of Batman? Does Agatha All Along deliver on its big twist? Listen to hear us discuss all these questions and more!Homework for next week:The Penguin Episode 4 (Max)Agatha All Along Episode 6 (Disney+)Bonus Ep: Slow Horses Season 4 (Apple TV+)Shownotes:02:13 - The FranchiseEp 1 - Scene 31A: Tecto Meets Eye14:04 - Renewals and CancellationsKaos CancelledThe Night Agent Renewed for Season 3Reacher Renewed for Season 423:21 - How Hollywood is Battling Toxic FansJodie Turner-Smith says Disney Can’t Stay Silent42:02 - The Penguin Ep 3 - Bliss01:12:27 - Agatha All Along Ep 5 - Darkest Hour / Wake Thy PowerLinks: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 explore the early ratings for The Penguin, brace themselves for a new season of Sugar, discuss a surprising choice of director for Stranger Things 5, and dig into the new trailer for The Last of Us Season 2. Then, they discuss episode 2 of The Penguin and episode 4 of Agatha All Along.Will The Penguin be able to take flight in the ratings for the rest of the first season? How do we feel about the confounding news of a second season of Sugar? Does Frank Darabont’s return to the industry signal a strong return for Stranger Things? How different will The Last of Us season 2 be from its video game counterpart? Does The Penguin keep up the momentum in episode 2? Are we still enjoying the witchy formula of Agatha All Along in episode 4? Listen to hear us discuss all these questions and more!Homework for next week:The Penguin Episode 3 (Max)Agatha All Along Episode 5 (Disney+)The Franchise Episode 1 (Max)Shownotes:12:13 - Strong Ratings for The Penguin16:20 - Sugar Renewed for Season 221:18 - Frank Darabont Ends Retirement for Stranger Things25:53 - The Last of Us Season 2 Trailer36:20 - The Penguin Ep 2 - Inside Man01:04:28 - Agatha All Along Ep 4 - If I Can’t Reach You, Let My Song Teach YouLinks: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