Decoding TV

In this bonus episode of the Decoding TV podcast, David Chen and Sarah Marrs discuss Dept. Q's first season on Netflix. What did we think of how this show handled its central mystery? Did any of the subplots work well for us? What about the red herrings? Was Matthew Goode, well, any good as the lead? How excited are we for the prospect of a second season of Dept. Q? Listen to hear us discuss all these questions and more!Homework for next episode: Ironheart season premiere (Disney+)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 chats with director Dan Trachtenberg about how Predator: Killer of Killers (now streaming on Hulu) came together. Dan discusses why they chose the time periods they did, the challenges of putting together an anthology film based around the Predator in different time periods, and what his favorite action moments are from the film.Homework for next episode:Dept Q (Netflix)Links:Follow Dan Trachtenberg on InstagramSubscribe 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 the differences between the Invincible and Game of Thrones videogames (and why the former will probably be way more successful), muse on the plight of Warner Bros Discovery, and lament the loss of press freedom in the American media. Then, it’s time to dive into Dan Trachtenberg’s latest Predator entry, Killer of Killers, now streaming on Hulu.Be sure to stay tuned for a bonus interview with Dan Trachtenberg coming in the next week.Homework for next week:Dept Q (Netflix)Shownotes:08:50 - TV NewsVideogame News:New Game of Thrones PC Strategy Game to Launch in 2026Invincible Vs: A New fighting Game set in the Invincible universeWarner Bros Discovery to split into two companiesTerry Moran suspended at ABC News49:30 - Predator: Killer of Killers reviewLinks: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 the Decoding TV podcast, David and Patrick discuss Succession creator Jesse Armstrong’s latest HBO original, Mountainhead. Does it do a good job of satirizing the billionaire tech class? Will Nic Pizzolatto ever write a True Detective episode again? And why do we feel sympathy for the new kids cast as the main Harry Potter characters? Listen to us discuss all these questions and more!Homework for next week:Predator: Killer of Killers (Hulu)Shownotes:03:40 - TV News‘Harry Potter’ HBO Series Casts Harry, Ron and Hermione‘Stranger Things’ Season 5 Gets Three-Part Release, Series Finale Set for New Year’s Eve‘True Detective’ Creator Nic Pizzolatto Has a “Story” for Matthew McConaughey and Woody Harrelson to Reprise Cohle and Hart: They’re “Open to It”28:00 - Mountainhead review58:45 - The Rehearsal Season 2 Follow-Ups1:11:00 - The Last of Us Season 2 Follow-UpsLinks: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 the Decoding TV podcast, David and Patrick are joined by Christian Spicer to dive into the latest episodes of The Last of Us and The Rehearsal.Why was The Last of Us season finale such a disappointment? What were some of the most memorable moments? What two narrative crimes did the episode commit? And why was The Rehearsal so exhilarating by comparison? Listen to us discuss all these questions and more!Homework for next week:Mountainhead (HBO)Shownotes:03:00 - The Last of Us Season 2Ep 7 - Convergence1:01:00 - The Rehearsal Season 2Ep 6 - My ControlsLinks:Subscribe to Christian Spicer’s newsletterListen 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 and Patrick discuss some follow-ups to their podcast series about Andor season 2. Why did Tony Gilroy feel the need to delineate the true nature of Kleya and Luthen’s relationship? What about Mon Mothma’s relationship with her husband and daughter? And what do we think of the possibility of Jyn Erso and Leia cameos in Andor season 2? 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 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