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Fetch the Smelling Salts

Talking Period Dramas from Every Era


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  • 5. The Fainting Couch: The Odyssey (2026 Movie)

    01:19:53||Season 7, Ep. 5
    A man! A war! A horse! A podcast! After several weeks adrift Alice and husband/audio producer Keith ended up on the mythical island of Ireland, where they went to the cinema. In this Fainting Couch episode we’re comparing Odysseuses (do you prefer sinewy-sad or hopping psychopath?), working out who broke Zeus’ law the hardest, and whacking bits of bronze together. Kim and Alice will be reunited on 10 September for the start of a new season!https://www.lrb.co.uk/the-paper/v48/n14/emily-wilson/an-uncomplicated-manhttps://open.substack.com/pub/flintdelsol/p/actually-nolan-is-kind-of-making?

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  • 4. Ever After (1998 Movie)

    01:03:04||Season 7, Ep. 4
    It’s time to scuttle away from your problems, as we cover the ultimate sleepover movie, Ever After. Whilst Leonardo da Vinci does all our DIY, Kim and Alice have great news for fans of historical edicts, and less good news about the real Prince Henry’s love life.Sound Engineer: Keith NagleEditor: Helen Hamilton / Keith NagleProducer: Helen Hamilton

  • 3. Markova: Comfort Gay (2000 Movie)

    01:00:33||Season 7, Ep. 3
    It’s a trigger warning episode, as we’re dealing with historical sexual violence in the Filipino drama, Markova: Comfort Gay. Wake up you gay fossils, it’s time to meet the ultimate strut instructor as we learn about community, identity and resilience in wartime Manila.Sound Engineer: Keith NagleEditor: Keith NagleProducer: Helen Hamilton

  • 2. Robin Hood (1973 Movie)

    01:01:56||Season 7, Ep. 2
    Oo de lally, golly what a day it is for fans of the 1973 animated Disney classic, Robin Hood. Kim and Alice discuss folk tale origins, medieval royalty and the verrrrry intimate relationship between Prince John and Sir Hiss.Sound Engineer: Keith NagleEditor: Keith Nagle / Helen HamiltonProducer: Helen Hamilton

  • 1. Anna and the King (1999 movie)

    01:03:39||Season 7, Ep. 1
    Time to get out your widest hoop skirt, we’re off to Thailand! To kick off Season 7, Kim and Alice are discussing the real monarchs, colonial politics, and white elephants in the 1999 film Anna and the King.Sound Engineer: Keith NagleEditor: Keith NagleProducer: Helen Hamilton

  • 5. Sandokan (2025 Series)

    01:19:48||Season 6, Ep. 5
    Do you hear the unearthly chorus singing our names? That’s right, this week Kim and Alice are covering the linguistically diverse pirate drama, Sandokan. We’re stalking through the jungle with our lonely island tiger, celebrating immovable eyeliner and mediocre female protagonists.Sound Engineer: Keith NagleEditor: Keith NagleProducer: Helen Hamilton

  • 4. I Capture the Castle (2003 Movie)

    49:15||Season 6, Ep. 4
    We're wrapping ourselves in bear and monkey furs this week, as Kim and Alice cover listener suggestion, I Capture the Castle. As Bill Nighy gets consumed by moss, we're talking about American kissing etiquette and how we too can get a 2-year rent forgiveness for a giant country house.Sound Engineer: Keith NagleEditor: Helen Hamilton / Keith NagleProducer: Helen Hamilton