This week the word is utopia. The nerds talk at length about the utopian ideals of Star Trek, and how replicators, transporters, and holodecks really would change everything. Other topics include MUDs, gender-swapping technology, and the value of real estate in a cashless society. They talk about work stuff for a bit, then they lower the spoiler curtain to talk about the second episode of Star Trek: Picard.
SPOILER WARNING: contains spoilers.
This week the word is Alaska, since Keith just returned from Juneau. They each talk about trips they’ve taken there, then somehow this leads to a long discussion of vampires and werewolves. Keith talks about the mark Gandalf leaves on Bilbo’s door, and shares a few thoughts about Crisis on Infinite Earths. After the spoiler warning, the discuss the first episode of Star Trek Picard at length.
This week the word is cats. The nerds talk about their current cats and reminisce about beloved cats that have passed on. They also discuss differences between cats and dogs, how cats like to push objects onto the floor, the musical, and other cat-related topics. Next they discuss vintage adaptations of Tolkien’s books, during which Keith’s audio dropped out for a few minutes. Andy has some follow-up thoughts about last week’s discussion of The Pool of Fire his ideas for a sequel to it. This leads to a rant about bad adaptations of several of Andy’s favorite books. Lastly, they discuss a couple of episodes of the 80s time travel show, Voyagers.
This week the word is Maclunky. The nerds start out by discussing the latest version of the Han Shot First scene. Other topics include funny DVD commentary tracks, Jonathan Baker’s Download Bingo Card, the projects they are each currently working on, SpongeBob SquarePants, How I Met Your Mother, and Bumblebee. After the spoiler warning they discuss The Pool of Fire, Star Trek Short Treks, and Knives Out.
Spoiler warning: Contains Spoilers!
This week the word is Misunderstanding. Andy explains the point of confusion that led to an odd choice for the cartoon that happened a couple of weeks ago, and yammers about movies featuring VW Beetles, including Bumblebee, the Cars movies, and in particular, Herbie the Love Bug. Keith talks about The Repair Shop and things that make him feel old. He also talks about Knives Out and Rian Johnson’s style as a director, which gets both of them ranting about Star Wars movies again. They each talk a little about their current work projects, then they discuss a book called Ship of Theseus. After the spoiler warning they discuss The Witcher and The Mandalorian.
Spoiler warning: Contains Spoilers!
This week the word is Mystery. The guys discuss the “Mystery Box” approach to story-telling, mysteries in general, and mystery stories with solvable endings vs. those that can never really be resolved. Keith talks about deliberately unanswered questions in the backstory of Eberron, and Andy talks about being on jury duty. They also discuss mystery as a theme in games. After the spoiler warning they discuss Star Wars 9 at length.
Spoiler warning: Contains Spoilers!
This week the word is Heist! The guys discuss classic heist movies and stories that follow the heist formula but aren’t usually thought of as heist stories. Keith describes a mind-melding heist RPG he’d like to run someday, and talks about the celebrity D&D game he just returned from filming. After the spoiler warning they discuss Mandalorian episodes 4-6, the season 1 finale of Watchmen, and Rick and Morty.
Spoiler warning: Contains Spoilers!
A note about this week’s cartoon: For those who may not recognize him, that’s Kylie from Fantastic Mr. Fox. But why Kylie and not Bilbo? We were confused too so we asked Goodloe. Turns out that since he just goes by the title and blurb when creating these cartoons, he didn’t realize the title was meant to refer to The Hobbit, and its 13 person team, and instead thought of The Lord of the Rings and the team of 9 that Gandalf anchors there. Then, as Goodloe explains, “Gandalf’s 13 would be playing off the trope of Oceans 11, 12, 13 etc where they add some weird tie in actor each sequel. So by the time they got to sequel 5 from the original 9 members of the fellowship it would be scraping the bottom of the sequel barrel and who else would be the worst member to add to the fellowship of the ring but the least capable member of another heist film.”
This week the word is Multiverse. The guys discuss their favorite multiverse stories, starting with the mirror universe from Star Trek, and including Sliders, Fringe, Counterpart, Replay, Alternities, What if?, Into the Spiderverse, D&D, Muppets Tonight, Rick & Morty, and Watchmen. Andy again urges Keith to attend Burning Man, which will have the theme of The Multiverse next year. Other topics include the Richat Structure in the Sahara desert, a nerdy connection between Star Wars and Dune, National Lampoon’s Doon, and Keith’s fake Russian accent story. Behind the Spoiler Curtain they discuss Watchmen episode 6.
SPOILER WARNING: CONTAINS SPOILERS!
This week the word is Russia, since Andy just got back from his first trip there and had a lot to talk about. Then Keith talks about his newly released Eberron book and the next one he’s working on. Keith wonders what’s up with the wasps and ants in his neighborhood, and talks about Jenn’s trip to China. Then they lower the spoiler curtain to discuss the first few episodes of The Mandalorian.
SPOILER WARNING: CONTAINS SPOILERS!
This week the word is unreliable. They discuss unreliable narrators in popular media, trying not to get to spoilery until the last part of the show. Andy talks about his upcoming trip to Russia, and Keith tells the story of how he came to be in possession of an autographed rubber arm. Other topics include Galactus action figures, Keith’s new Eberron books, Math Fluxx 2.0, Tom Lehrer’s New Math song, and what Keith wants to do next with Gloom. Then they lower the spoiler curtain to further discuss unreliable narrator stories.
SPOILER WARNING: CONTAINS SPOILERS
