Decoding Westworld

In this episode of the Decoding TV podcast, David and Patrick discuss what’s going on in the world of TV, then dive into the fourth season of The Bear.What is behind the President’s hatred of Rosie O’Donnell? Is Squid Game: The Challenge as abominable as it sounds? What were the biggest streaming shows in the first half of 2025? And did The Bear season 4 improve upon what we saw in season 3? Listen to hear us discuss all these questions and more!Homework for next week:Smoke Season 1 eps 1-5 (Apple TV+)Shownotes:01:30 - TV NewsDonald Trump tries to revoke Rosie O’Donnell’s citizenshipLarry David Returning to HBO With Obamas-Produced Sketch SeriesSquid Game: The Challenge renewedStreaming Ratings: ‘Bluey’ Reign Continues in First Half of 2025, ‘Squid Game’ Leads Originals‘Harry Potter’ First Look43:30 - The Bear Season 4Links:Listen to Patrick’s videogame podcast, Remap RadioSubscribe to Patrick’s newsletter, CrossplaySubscribe to this podcast on YouTubeFollow this podcas

In this bonus episode, David and Myles McNutt from the Episodic Medium newsletter discuss the 2025 Emmy nominations (you can watch our live broadcast on YouTube here).Which shows came away with some of the biggest nominations? Why do the “Guest Actor” categories continue to be a travesty? What were the biggest snubs? And was this overall a shameful year for the Emmys or did we experience less shame? Listen to hear us discuss all these questions and more.Links:Subscribe to Episodic MediumFollow Myles on BlueskySubscribe 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 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of the Decoding TV podcast, David and Patrick discuss what’s going on in the world of TV, then dive into the final season of Squid Game.How is Squid Game Season 3 performing on Netflix? What did we make of the fact that Neil Druckmann has left The Last of Us? What’s going on with the creators of South Park and Paramount/Skydance? And are we excited about another season of The Bear? Listen to hear us discuss all these questions and more!Homework for next week:The Bear Season 4 (Hulu)Shownotes:13:00 - TV News‘Squid Game 3’ Sets Netflix Record With Massive 60.1 Million Views in Three Days‘Last of Us’ Shocker: Neil Druckmann Exits HBO Series Ahead of Season 3‘South Park’ Creators Slam Paramount-Skydance Merger as a ‘S— Show’ and Say ‘It’s F—ing Up’ New Episodes: ‘We Hope Fans Get to See Them Somehow’Renewals:Order Up: ‘The Bear’ Renewed for Season 5 by FXSlow Horses already renewed for season 741:45 - Squid Game Season 3Links:Listen to Patrick’s vi

In this bonus episode, Dan Gvozden joins the podcast to review and discuss the final three episodes of Ironheart on Disney+:Episode 4 - Bad MagicEpisode 5 - Karma’s a GlitchEpisode 6 - The Past is the PastHow did the show handle the arc of Riri Williams? What did we make of that big cameo at the end? And what do we think is coming next for the MCU? Listen to hear us discuss all these questions and more!Homework for next week:Squid Game Season 3 (Netflix)Links:Check out Dan’s podcast, Amazing Spider-TalkSubscribe 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 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of the Decoding TV podcast, David and Patrick discuss what’s going on in the world of TV, then dive into the first three episodes of Ironheart on Disney+.Does the Showtime name still have any meaning in our current streaming environment? Did Andor season 2 get more viewers than season 1? And why did The Last of Us season 2 have fewer viewers? Listen to us discuss all these questions and more!Homework for next week:Ironheart Eps 4-6 (Disney+)Shownotes:07:30 - TV NewsParamount+ with Showtime is now Paramount Premium‘Mindhunter’ May Return as Three Movies, Star Holt McCallany RevealsAndor concludes with number 1 overall ranking on NielsenThe Last of Us Ratings Declined During Season 2 but Why35:02 - Ironheart Eps 1-3Episode 1 - Take Me HomeEpisode 2 - Will the Real Natalie Please Stand Up?Episode 3 - We in Danger, GirlLinks:Listen to Patrick’s videogame podcast, Remap RadioSubscribe to Patrick’s newsletter, CrossplaySubscribe to this podcast on YouTubeFollow this podcast on InstagramFollow this p

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 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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

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, Cross

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 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more informa

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 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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,

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: Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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

In this bonus episode of Decoding TV, David and Patrick Willems discuss the next three episodes of Andor Season 2:Ep 7 - MessengerEp 8 - Who Are You?Ep 9 - Welcome to the Rebellion?This batch probably has some of the most intense action in Star Wars ever put to film. We also got some actual Star Wars references to things like the Force and other iconography. What did we think of Syril Karn’s arc this season? How did we feel about Mon Mothma’s big moment? Have stormtroopers and droids ever looked more terrifying? Listen to hear us discuss all these questions and more. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of the Decoding TV podcast, David and Patrick dive into the latest episodes of The Last of Us and The Rehearsal.What do we think of The Last of Us’s depiction of Seattle? How did we feel about how this week’s episode moved Ellie and Dina’s relationship along? And was Nathan Fielder’s The Rehearsal this week an act of insanity of genius? Listen to us discuss all these questions and more!Homework for next week:The Last of Us Season 2 episode 5 (HBO)The Rehearsal Season 2 episode 4 (HBO)Shownotes:01:00 - The Last of Us Season 2Ep 4 - Day One46:30 - The Rehearsal Season 2Ep 3 - Pilot’s CodeLinks: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 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this bonus episode of Decoding TV, David and Patrick Willems discuss the next three episodes of Andor Season 2:Ep 4 - Ever Been to Ghorman?Ep 5 - I Have Friends EverywhereEp 6 - What a Festive EveningWe’ll be doing a podcast episode for each of the four Andor drops.This batch introduces us to the world of Ghorman. What parallels is the show trying to draw between the Ghormans and our world? Have we ever seen Luthen more light-hearted than in these episodes? And how do we feel about the state of the Karn/Meero #karntent at this point? 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 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of the Decoding TV podcast, 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.Is Max a streaming service that is impossible to cancel? Why is Netflix so opposed to theatrical filmgoing? And what responsibility do actors have in accepting roles for shows with controversial figures involved? Listen to us discuss all these questions and more!Homework for next week:The Last of Us Season 2 episode 4 (HBO)The Rehearsal Season 2 episode 3 (HBO)Shownotes:01:30 - TV NewsMax prepares to crack down on password sharingBill Hader to Co-Write, Potentially Star in Jonestown Series in Development at HBO60 Minutes explains the resignation of Bill OwensTed Sarandos says stuffJohn Lithgow Didn’t Expect Backlash35:30 - The Last of Us Season 2Ep 3 - The Path1:08:00 - The Rehearsal Season 2Ep 2 - Star PotentialLinks:Listen to Patrick’s videogame podcast, Remap RadioSubscribe to Patrick’s newslet

In this Decoding TV bonus episode, David and Patrick discuss what they thought of The Pitt’s debut season, what their favorite subplots were, and what they’d like to see in a second season of the show (which has already been renewed).Links: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 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.