Episode 185 "Captain Marvel"
The Arkham Sessions: Psychology of Batman & More
Release Date: 05/03/2022
Episode 262 "Gargoyles: Enter Macbeth"
The Arkham Sessions: Psychology of Batman & More
In this episode, Macbeth, a mysterious new villain, uses Goliath and the Gargoyles as bait for a personal vendetta, and proves to be a formidable opponent. Meanwhile, in order to keep Goliath and his family safe, Elisa insists they move into the city's clocktower where their identities will be kept hidden. While the other Gargoyles seem willing to leave the castle, Goliath strongly opposes this plan and he lashes out at his family.
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Episode 261 "WonderCon 2026: The Psychological Journey of The Lord of the Rings"
The Arkham Sessions: Psychology of Batman & More
The Lord of the Rings is an epic, high-fantasy tale that centers on fellowship, bravery, and good against evil. What does Aragorn's reluctance to become king say about him? Does the One Ring symbolize addiction? Does Gollum have multiple identities? How (and why) does fantasy storytelling improve mental health? Media psychologist Drea Letamendi, Ph.D. (The Arkham Sessions, UCLA), Miranda (host, Tolkien Tuesdays), and Todd Stashwick (actor, Marvel's VisionQuest; co-founder, ProgCore Fantasy) explore and explain the psychology of Middle-earth's riveting...
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Episode 260 "Through Interview with David Dastmalchian"
The Arkham Sessions: Psychology of Batman & More
David Dastmalchian joins hosts Dr. Drea and Brian to discuss his newly released book, Through. In this dark fantasy graphic novel, a young woman is caught between reality and a mysterious dream realm that sparks a perilous journey that only she must face. In this interview, David talks about his motivation for his new book, his own mental health journey, and a message he has for anyone struggling within their own darkness.
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Episode 259 "The Bride!"
The Arkham Sessions: Psychology of Batman & More
The Bride! (2026) is an anachronistic, theatrical reimagining of the story of Frankenstein's monster and his bride. Set in Chicago in the 1930's, the film depicts a young woman, Ida (Jessie Buckley), who begins experiencing strange auditory hallucinations, disorganized speech, impulsive outbursts, involuntary echolalia, and memory lapses. Due to an unfortunate accident, she meets an early death. Meanwhile, Frankenstein's monster (Christian Bale), "Frank," seeks the help of a mad scientist, Dr. Euphronious. He asks her to make him a bride. They dig up the corpse of Ida and successfully...
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Episode 258 "Gargoyles: Deadly Force"
The Arkham Sessions: Psychology of Batman & More
One of the most controversial episodes of the early 90's Disney's Gargoyles animated series, "Deadly Force", depicts the serious topics of criminal gangs, gun violence, and PTSD. Broadway becomes a fan of westerns, and often mimics the action heroes he sees on screen. While visiting Elisa, he excitedly re-enacts scenes from movie while playing with her unsecured firearm. In a moment of recklessness, the Gargoyle accidentally shoots Elisa. Follow us on Instagram! Dr. Drea Letamendi - @drdreapsychology Brian Ward - @b_ward028 The Arkham Sessions - @thearkhamsessions Join our...
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Episode 257 "Dracula: A Love Tale"
The Arkham Sessions: Psychology of Batman & More
Dracula: A Love Tale (2026) is a romantic reimagining of the original gothic horror novel by Bram Stoker. The film paints Dracula with a more sympathetic brush, introduced as a young prince with no interested in violence or war, deeply and obsessively in love with his new bride, Elizabeta. After losing Elizabeta in battle, Dracula damns himself into an eternity of psychological torture, an unending existence of isolation, loathing, bloodlust, and heartache, a curse that can only be broken by their reunification.
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Episode 256 "Gargoyles: Temptation"
The Arkham Sessions: Psychology of Batman & More
Demona and Brooklyn exemplify different forms of social distrust: Functional and Dysfunctional.
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Episode 255 "Love Actually"
The Arkham Sessions: Psychology of Batman & More
After more than 20 years since the film was released in theaters, LOVE ACTUALLY (2003) remains one of the most beloved Christmas movies out there. Some may consider the film at the top of the holiday movie list, while others have noted it did not age well. With a stellar cast line-up and interconnected storylines, LOVE ACTUALLY set the bar for early 2000's holiday rom-coms with catchy one-liners and festive cliches.
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Episode 254 "Gargoyles: Thrill of the Hunt"
The Arkham Sessions: Psychology of Batman & More
Even as survivors of medieval wars, religious persecution, and a thousand-year cement coma, the Gargoyles are still not yet ready to face the perils of modern-day New York City. Their "fish out of water" story highlights many challenges they face as they encounter discrepancies between their historical origins and their new home atop a towering skyscraper. The Gargoyles, despite their collective wisdom, must now start from a "blank slate" and acclimate to an advanced society that fears their monstrous appearances.
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Episode 253 "Frankenstein (2025)"
The Arkham Sessions: Psychology of Batman & More
Guillermo del Toro's Frankenstein (2025) is a visually stunning adaptation of the original novel by Mary Shelley. Del Toro turns the well known horror story of Frankenstein into a romantic, emotionally absorbing fairy tale. He softens the grotesqueness of The Creature by giving him tenderness and benevolence, angling the perspective to heighten audiences' sense of compassion and even relatability toward an individual who does not earn the abandonment and cruelty given to him.
info_outlineBrian and Drea rewatch Captain Marvel with the explicit intention of picking up on its problems and check their own biases, perspectives, and expectations. How does a story of resilience--one that shows the power of endurance, grit, and self-confidence--fall so flat?