Decoding Westworld

Support this podcast by becoming a paid member at DecodingTv.comDavid Chen and Patrick Willems dive into season 1 episode 8 of Andor, “Narkina 5,” now streaming on Disney+.Unexpected developments put Andor in an untenable situation. Will Cassian get back to Maarva while he still can? Will Meero figure out who Axis truly is? Can Bix survive the most recent incursion? Also: we get a weekly #Karntent check in. All this and more on this week’s episode of Decoding TV covering Andor!You can always email us at decodingtv(AT)gmail(DOT)com.Links:Follow Decoding TV:On YouTubeOn TwitterOn TiktokFollow Patrick H. WillemsOn YouTubeOn TwitterOn PatreonFollow David ChenOn TwitterOn InstagramOn Tiktok Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The second season of The White Lotus will debut on October 30 on HBO and run for 7 episodes, and I’m thrilled to share that Decoding TV will be recapping and reviewing each episode. Furthermore, I’m excited to announce that my co-host will be Roxana Hadadi, a TV critic at Vulture.com and one of my favorite writers on the internet today. In this episode of Decoding TV, we discuss season 1 of The White Lotus, with a particular focus on its finale. Where did we leave off with each of these characters? What was this show trying to say about wealth and privilege, and how effectively did it say it? And what about that whole murder mystery plot? Listen to hear our thoughts on all of the above!Links:Email us at decodingtv(AT)gmail(DOT)comRead Roxana’s review of The White Lotus Season 1Read Roxana’s work on VultureFollow this podcast on TwitterFollow this podcast on TiktokSubscribe to this podcast on YouTubeFollow Roxana on TwitterFollow David Chen on Twitter Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more inform

David Chen and Patrick Willems dive into season 1 episode 7 of Andor, “Announcement,” now streaming on Disney+.This week is a transitional episode as all of our characters react to the major developments from last week. Where do we see Andor’s arc going in this show? How will Karn, Cinta, and Vel play into it? What does the Imperial Security Bureau have to do with Google Messaging apps? And most importantly: What should we call the Karn/Meero ship? Keero? Marn? Listen to hear our theories and wild speculations!You can always email us at decodingtv(AT)gmail(DOT)com.Links:Follow Decoding TV:On YouTubeOn TwitterOn TiktokFollow Patrick H. WillemsOn YouTubeOn TwitterOn PatreonFollow David ChenOn TwitterOn InstagramOn Tiktok Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

David Chen and Don Marshall discuss the eighth episode of the first season of Prime Video’s The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power: ‘Alloyed.’In the season 1 finale, several major twists are revealed with one major headfake thrown in for good measure. But how well did the show earn them? Where do things stand at the end of season 1 for our major characters? What plot threads are we looking forward to for season 2? For answers and speculations that address these questions (and many more), listen to the episode!Also: starting at 1:38:00, we dive into full book spoilers for a bit! Enjoy.Links:Subscribe to this podcast on YouTubeFollow this podcast on TiktokFollow this podcast on TwitterFollow Don Marshall:On TiktokOn TwitchOn InstagramOn PatreonFollow David Chen:On TwitterOn TiktokOn Instagram Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of Decoding TV, Dan Gvozden from The Amazing Spider-Talk joins David and Siddhant Adlakha to dive into the season 1 finale of She-Hulk: Attorney At Law.The finale upends where we think this show is going, while providing some amusing meta-commentary about how Marvel shows are put together in general. But taken as a whole, does this season all add up to anything meaningful? Listen to hear our thoughts!Links:Subscribe to this podcast on YouTubeFollow Dan Gvozden on TwitterListen to Dan Gvozden’s podcast “The Amazing Spider-Talk”Follow David on TwitterFollow Siddhant on Twitter Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

David Chen and Patrick Willems dive into season 1 episode 6 of Andor, “The Eye,” now streaming on Disney+.The heist is afoot and it is spectacular! Andor and crew invade the garrison at Aldhani. But who will live? Who will die? And will anything be done to subvert our expectations for what heists can be? Listen to hear our theories and wild speculations!Links:Follow Decoding TV:On YouTubeOn TwitterOn TiktokFollow Patrick H. WillemsOn YouTubeOn TwitterOn PatreonFollow David ChenOn TwitterOn InstagramOn Tiktok Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It’s a Decoding TV Halloween bonus episode! Ashley Esqueda joins David Chen to discuss Michael Giacchino’s Werewolf by Night, now streaming on Disney Plus. In the movie, Gael Garcia Bernal plays Jack, a man who attends a gathering of monster hunters in pursuit of a powerful artifact called the Bloodstone, only to find that the night has surprises for them all.In what ways does Werewolf by Night connect to the MCU? How does Giacchino fare as a first-time feature director? Do we want to see more of these “Marvel Special Presentations” in the future? Listen and find out!Links:Slashfilm: An Ode to Marvel’s Man-ThingSubscribe to this podcast on YouTubeFollow this podcast on TiktokFollow Decoding TV on TwitterFollow Ashley Esqueda on TwitterFollow David Chen on Twitter Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Support this podcast by becoming a paid member at DecodingTV.comDavid Chen and Don Marshall discuss the seventh episode of Prime Video’s The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power: ‘The Eye.’Who survived the events of last episode? Are we eventually going to learn who The Stranger is? Also, did Galadriel just have a husband this whole time?? For answers and speculations that address these questions (and many more), listen to the episode!Links:Subscribe to this podcast on YouTubeFollow this podcast on TiktokFollow this podcast on TwitterFollow Don Marshall:On TiktokOn TwitchOn InstagramOn PatreonFollow David Chen:On TwitterOn TiktokOn Instagram Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of Decoding TV, Dan Gvozden from The Amazing Spider-Talk subs in for David Chen and joins Siddhant Adlakha in diving into Charles Soule and Javier Pullido’s run of She-Hulk - one of the inspirations behind She-Hulk: Attorney At Law and a glimpse into where the show could head in a future season.Then, starting at 18:30, the two discuss the eighth episode of She-Hulk: Attorney At Law, “Ribbit and Rip It.” Jen trades blows and kisses with Matt Murdoch, aka Daredevil, grounds Leap Frog, and sees her world come crashing down around her at the hands of the Hulk King.Next week: David Chen returns for the finale and a discussion of the season as a whole.Links:Subscribe to this podcast on YouTubeFollow Dan Gvozden on TwitterListen to Dan Gvozden’s podcast “The Amazing Spider-Talk”Follow David on TwitterFollow Siddhant on Twitter Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

David Chen and Patrick Willems dive into season 1 episode 5 of Andor, “The Axe Forgets,” now streaming on Disney+.Another heist setup episode lets us get to know the characters from Vel’s crew and understand their motivations. But who will survive next episode? What will (inevitably) go wrong? Will we ever see a Mon Mothma dinner party? And how is Karn going to fit into any of this? Listen to hear our theories and wild speculations!Links:Watch/subscribe to the YouTube version of this podcastFollow Patrick H. WillemsOn YouTubeOn TwitterOn PatreonFollow David ChenOn TwitterOn InstagramOn Tiktok Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Support this podcast by becoming a paid member at DecodingTV.com!David Chen and Don Marshall discuss the fifth episode of Prime Video’s The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power: ‘Udun.’ A visually spectacular and intense episode that begins tying up many of the plotlines introduced earlier this season.Is this The Rings of Power’s first “hard R” episode? What are the homages to Peter Jackson’s Lord of the Rings? Who lives and who dies at the end of this thing? For answers and speculations that address these questions (and many more), listen to the episode!Links:Subscribe to this podcast on YouTubeFollow this podcast on TiktokFollow this podcast on TwitterFollow Don Marshall:On TiktokOn TwitchOn InstagramOn PatreonFollow David Chen:On TwitterOn TiktokOn Instagram Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of Decoding TV, Dan Gvozden from The Amazing Spider-Talk subs in for David Chen and joins Siddhant Adlakha in diving into Dan Slott’s run of She-Hulk - arguably the biggest inspiration for She-Hulk: Attorney At Law.Then, starting at around 23:14, the two discuss the seventh episode of She-Hulk: Attorney At Law, “The Retreat.” Jen visits Emil Blonsky’s retreat, but how effectively does it help her find herself?Next week: Our opening topic will be Charles Soule and Javier Puilido’s run of She-Hulk.Links:Subscribe to this podcast on YouTubeFollow Dan Gvozden on TwitterListen to Dan Gvozden’s podcast “The Amazing Spider-Talk”Follow David on TwitterFollow Siddhant on Twitter Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Support this podcast by becoming a member of DecodingTv.com!David Chen and Patrick Willems dive into season 1 episode 4 of Andor, “Aldhani,” now streaming on Disney+.When does Andor take place in the Star Wars timeline? Is Cassian the Waingro of Vel’s crew? What is the ultimate fate of Blevins? And how do you pronounce Coruscant anyway? Listen to find out!Links:Learn more about the Star Wars timelineWatch/subscribe to the YouTube version of this podcastFollow Patrick H. WillemsOn YouTubeOn TwitterOn PatreonFollow David ChenOn TwitterOn InstagramOn Tiktok Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

David Chen and Don Marshall discuss the fifth episode of Prime Video’s The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power: ‘Partings.’ This episode, Galadriel needs to convince Númenor to sail into battle…again?Why does Gil-galad kinda look down on Elrond? And what is the nature of Elrond’s oath to Durin? Who is The Stranger? When exactly is all the Southlands stuff taking place? For answers and speculations that address these questions (and many more), listen to the episode!Links:For quality written recaps and reviews about The Rings of Power and many other shows, check out the Episodic Medium newsletter.Learn about how the Hobbits wore Don’s merch Subscribe to this podcast on YouTubeFollow this podcast on TiktokFollow this podcast on TwitterFollow Don Marshall:On TiktokOn TwitchOn InstagramOn PatreonFollow David Chen:On TwitterOn TiktokOn Instagram Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of Decoding TV, David and Siddhant start by discussing Netflix’s Daredevil. Why does that show seem to still capture the popular imagination when it comes to Marvel properties? What did it do that no other MCU show has been able to? And where is Matt Murdock now?Then, starting at around 31:52, the two dive into sixth episode of She-Hulk: Attorney At Law, “Just Jen.” An inconveniently-timed, self-contained wedding episode!Next week: Our opening topic will be Dan Slott’s first 6 issues of Single Green Female, featuring Dan Gvozden.Links:Amazon link for Dan Slott’s Single Green FemaleSubscribe to this podcast on YouTubeFollow David on TwitterFollow Siddhant on Twitter Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Support this show and get ad-free/bonus episodes by becoming a paid member at DecodingTV.com!David Chen and Patrick Willems dive into the first three episodes of Andor, now streaming on Disney+.How and why does Andor feel different than any other Star Wars show out there? How will the rest of the show be structured? What arc for Cassian Andor is the show sketching out? Is Syril Karn an irredeemable villain or a sympathetic middle manager? Listen to find out!Links:For quality written content about Andor and many other shows, check out the Episodic Medium newsletter.Watch/subscribe to the YouTube version of this podcastTony Gilroy’s NYTimes interviewRolling Stone article about AndorFollow Patrick H. WillemsOn YouTubeOn TwitterOn PatreonFollow David ChenOn TwitterOn InstagramOn Tiktok Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Support this podcast by becoming a paid member at DecodingTV.com!We are thrilled to welcome Patrick H. Willems to the Decoding TV podcast! Willems is a filmmaker, cultural commentator, and one of my favorite video essayists on the internet. I’ve enjoyed conversing with Patrick for years on YouTube and on podcasts but I’m so thrilled to be able to cover a TV show with him on Decoding TV.In this inaugural episode kicking off our Andor coverage, we discuss the troubled history of Rogue One, where the movie shows clear signs of behind-the-scenes turmoil, and what we still really like about the movie. Andor premieres Wednesday, September 21. Our plan is for our Andor coverage to release by Thursday nights. As always, paid members will get episodes earlier and get any bonus episodes we record during the show’s run. Thanks so much for your support!Links:Watch/subscribe to the YouTube version of this podcastTony Gilroy’s interview with Brian KoppelmanFollow Patrick H. WillemsOn YouTubeOn TwitterOn PatreonFollow David

Support this podcast by becoming a paid member of DecodingTV.com!David Chen and Don Marshall discuss the fourth episode of Prime Video’s The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power: ‘The Great Wave.’ This episode, Galadriel tries to convince the city of Númenor to join in her fight. But will they be fighting for the right purpose?Adar reveals himself, but what are his broader goals? What is calling out for Isildur? When exactly is all the Southlands stuff taking place? For answers and speculations that address these questions (and many more), listen to the episode!Links:For quality written recaps and reviews about The Rings of Power and many other shows, check out the Episodic Medium newsletter.Read about the making of the Rings of Power title sequenceSubscribe to this podcast on YouTubeFollow this podcast on TiktokFollow this podcast on TwitterFollow Don Marshall:On TiktokOn InstagramOn PatreonFollow David Chen:On TwitterOn TiktokOn Instagram Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/pr

Support this podcast by becoming a member of DecodingTV.com!In this episode of Decoding TV, David and Siddhant start by some of the D23 news that was announced last week, including the return of a Hulk-related character that none of us saw coming.Then, starting at 18:00, the two dive into third episode of She-Hulk: Attorney At Law, “Mean, Green, and Straight Poured Into These Jeans.” While this was a fun episode, it sure seems like something has gone awry with the timeline and pacing of this show!Next week: Our opening topic will be the Netflix version of Daredevil (played by Charlie Cox) and what the legacy of the character is as we head into the sixth episode of She-Hulk.Links:Read Matt Singer’s article about She-Hulk and the real worldSubscribe to this podcast on YouTubeFollow David on TwitterFollow Siddhant on Twitter Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Support this podcast and get ad-free episodes and bonus episode by becoming a paid member of DecodingTV.com.Last week, a number of high-profile actors who’ve previously appeared in The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring trilogy made social posts while wearing T-shirts from Don Marshall’s online merch store. The shirts displayed the words “You Are All Welcome Here” in Elvish (translation by @WizardWayKris).In this bonus episode, I asked Don what it was like to experience this entire series of events. Read Don’s recap of the events here.After you’re done listening, consider following these wonderful online creators:@OnlyAnnaMaria@AnexWilson@KnewBettaDoBetta@BlackPNWLady@FreddiesRoommate@EbonyWarriorStudiosFollow Don Marshall:On TiktokOn TwitchOn InstagramOn PatreonFollow David:Subscribe to a Cast of KingsSubscribe to The FilmcastOn TwitterOn Instagram Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.