Decoding TV

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

Stay tuned for a spoiler-filled bonus episode later this week where we compare The Last of Us videogame with the show.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.Does a Pacific Rim TV show sound like a good idea?Do we think Ryan Coogler will do a good job rebooting The X-Files? And what do we make of the unfolding situation with Harry Potter casting? Listen to us discuss all these questions and more!Homework for next week:The Last of Us Season 2 episode 3 (HBO)The Rehearsal Season 2 episode 2 (HBO)Bonus Ep: The Pitt Season 1 (Max)Shownotes:01:30 - Checking in on Daredevil: Born Again and The Pitt06:46 - TV News‘Pacific Rim’ Series Lands at AmazonRyan Coogler’s X-Files series appears to still be happeningNew Harry Potter cast revealed27:30 - The Last of Us Season 2Ep 2 - Through the Valley1:09:30 - The Rehearsal Season 2Ep 1 - Gotta Have FunLinks: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, David is joined by Jessie Earl to discuss the latest season of Black Mirror on Netflix. Did we think this season was a solid one? What were our favorite episodes? What were our least favorite? And does Black Mirror still have something new to say given how society’s views on technology have evolved? Listen to hear us discuss all these questions and more.Links:Subscribe to Jessie’s YouTube channelSubscribe to Jessie’s second YouTube channelSubscribe 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

NOTE: This episode contains massive SPOILERS for The Last of Us Part II videogame, which you should assume will also spoil the TV show. Listener beware.In this bonus episode, David, Patrick, and Christian Spicer discuss how the season 2 premiere of The Last of Us compares with The Last of Us Part II videogame. What were some of the biggest changes they made? How effective do we think those changes were? And what are some of the predictions we have for how this season will play out? Listen to hear us discuss all these questions and more.Links:Check out Christian’s videogame podcast DLCSubscribe to Christian’s newsletter about videogamesListen 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

Stay tuned for a spoiler-filled bonus episode later this week where we compare The Last of Us videogame with the show.David and Patrick discuss what’s happening in the world of television, then Christian Spicer joins us for a dive into The Last of Us season 2 premiere.Are we excited about the possibility of another season of Adolescence? What do we think of how The Last of Us is pacing its story? And why is The White Lotus pissing so many people off? Listen to us discuss all these questions and more!Homework for next week:The Last of Us Season 2 episode 2 (HBO)Bonus Ep: Black Mirror Season 7 (Netflix)Shownotes:03:30 - TV NewsLast of Us Renewed for season 3Adolescence ratings and season 2 possibilitiesThe White Lotus is pissing off all kinds of people:Pina Colada collabDuke wants no part of White LotusComposer backlash23:00 - The Last of Us Season 2Ep 1 - Future DaysLinks:Check out Christian’s videogame podcast DLCSubscribe to Christian’s newsletter about videogamesListen 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 Everything

In this episode, Sarah Marrs (film critic and deputy editor at LaineyGossip.com) joins David to discuss episode 8 of The White Lotus season 3.How do we rank this season of The White Lotus compared to the others? What did we make of who ends up dying and who ends up making it all the way to the end? And which storylines this season were most satisfying? Listen to hear us discuss all these questions and more.Links:Follow Sarah Marrs on BlueskyCheck out Sarah’s work on Lainey GossipSubscribe 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, David and Patrick chat about Seth Rogen’s hilarious new show on Apple TV+, The Studio. Then, Matt Goldberg from Commentary Track joins to discuss Robert Altman’s 1992 films The Player and how it compares with how Hollywood sees itself today.Links:Check out Matt Goldberg’s newsletter, Commentary TrackListen 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, Sarah Marrs (film critic and deputy editor at LaineyGossip.com) joins David to discuss episode 7 of The White Lotus season 3.Would we accept a $100,000 bribe to keep quiet about whatever the heck Gary/Greg did last season? Or would it need to have a couple more zeroes? Why didn’t Rick take improv classes or at least use IMDB before the events of this week’s episode? Who do we think is going to be killed in next week’s episode? And who will be the gunman? Listen to hear us discuss all these questions and more!Links:Follow Sarah Marrs on BlueskyCheck out Sarah’s work on Lainey GossipSubscribe 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

David and Patrick discuss the Netflix series Adolescence, then dive into your reactions and theories about Severance season 2.What did we make of the one-take filmmaking of Adolescence? Was the journey through the show worth the pain? And what about the end of Severance season 2? What did we think about the other possible endings there could have been? Did the Ms. Cobel storyline actually make more sense than we gave it credit for? Listen to hear us discuss all these questions and more.Homework for next week:The Studio (Apple TV+)Shownotes:3:15 - Adolescence Episodes 1-4 on Netflix1:08:15 - Severance Season 2 Post-MortemLinks: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